Ruth "Jean" Pray

Funeral services for Ruth “Jean” Pray, age 83 of DePeyster will be held at 11:00am on Saturday (January 6, 2024) at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held on Friday (Jan 5, 2024) from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the funeral home. Mrs. Pray passed away at the St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg on Tuesday (Jan 2, 2024) surrounded by her three sons. A reception will follow the burial at the DePeyster Masonic Hall.

Surviving are three sons Richard (Donna) Pray, Randy (Susan) Pray and Roderick (Cheryl) Pray all of DePeyster; grandchildren Andrew (Jill) Pray, Debra (Jeremy) Carpenter, Jennifer Brooks, Michael Pray, Daniel Pray, Brandon Pray, Shane Rand; great-grandchildren Hudson, Cassidy, Cole, Brooke, Austin, Ayden, Jase, Dylan, Drew & Conner; a brother Robert (Betty) Poor of Rensselaer Falls; a sister Bonnie (George) Backus of Bridgeport, NY; along with many nieces, nephews & cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband Arnold Pray in 2005, and a son Raymond Pray in 1985.

Jean was born on February 7, 1940 in Ogdensburg, a daughter of the late Clifford & Ruth (Mouthorp) Poor. She graduated from Canton High School and was later married to Arnold A. Pray on July 11, 1959 at the Rensselaer Falls Congregational Church with Rev. Lawrence Harrington officiating their marriage.

Jean went to work for the St. Lawrence National Bank in June of 1957 until December of 1959. She was then rehired in October of 1963 working until June of 2002 from the Heuvelton Branch of Community Bank NA., enjoying a 42 year career. She and her husband bought a farm in 1977 and worked it together with their sons until June 2002. She was a 65 year member of the OES Chapter # 60 in DePeyster and was also a member of the DePeyster United Methodist Church. She enjoyed her participation with the Eastern Stars, spending time at her cottage on Black Lake, yard work, and her church where she taught Sunday school and was a superintendent for many years. Jean’s greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to the DePeyster United Methodist Church, 4381 County Rt 10, DePeyster, NY 13633. Condolences and fond memories can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.