Helene G. Ray

Helene Gilchrist Ray, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, March 8, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Mich. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30pm, Sunday, March 14, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Education Foundation, 2214 S. State St., St. Joseph, Mich. 490985, or Hospice at Home, PO Box 297, Stevensville, Mich. 49127. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Helene was born October 31, 1915, in Gobles, Mich., to Mabel Lawrence Gilchrist and Daniel McAllister Gilchrist. She was raised in Gobles. In 1935, she married Dean Kingsley Ray, also from Gobles. After her career as a teacher, she and Dean began their family. In 1950 they settled in St. Joseph. Helene devoted her life to her husband and raising their six children. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church, the Indian Hills Garden Club, Monday Musical, Karasl Art Center, and the American Association of University Women Art Group. In addition to her children, her other interests included the arts and the beauty of nature. She was a lifelong artist and supporter of the arts in St. Joseph. She moved to Friendship Village in Kalamazoo in 1996 where she continued to pursue her interests. Helene will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her generosity, strong will, and independence. She is survived by her children ? Karen Leeds of Valparaiso, Ind., Dean Ray, Jr. of St. Joseph, Gretchen Whitton of St. Joseph, Kathleen Ray of Toledo, Ohio, Deborah Ray of Belmont, California, Ann Elizabeth Ray of Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, she is survived by twelve grandchildren ? David Leeds, Daniel Ray, Kelly Rothschild, Patrick Ray, Andrew Ray, Casey Ray, Justin Whitton, Nathaniel Porter, Naomi Ray-Delaney, Jacob van Houten, Sarah van Houten, Claire Davis, and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Dean Kingsley Ray, and her siblings – Lawrence Gilchrist, Gretchen Horn, Marjorie Gooch, Roger Gilchrist, and Eleanor Hill.