Raymond Clarence Mohney

(Age 91)

There is a brilliant new star shining brightly in the sky and, if you look very closely, you might see it twinkle in shades of green and gold.

Ray Mohney, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2017, due to complications from a fall taken just a week earlier. As he and his beloved wife of almost 47 years had often predicted, he joined Rozella just ten months after she passed last Valentine's Day.

Ray was born to Raymond and Edna Mohney at Deaconess Hospital on June 15, 1926. The youngest of four, and the only son, he joined sisters Enid, Martha (Mart), and Frances (Fran).

Ray went to Stevens Elementary and North Central High School. He dropped out of school at age 17, just prior to graduation, to join the Navy during World War II. He served on the USS LST 820. Ray would say that this was a very important time of his life "because I grew up".

After returning home to Spokane, Ray met and married Connie Weismann. They had three children, Gayle, Doug, and Pam, and were married for over twenty years. As a new dad, Ray graduated from Eastern Washingon State College (now University) with a B.A. in Education. He taught elementary school for a few years before joining the staff as a biology teacher and golf coach at the brand new Shadle Park High School. Ray loved Shadle Park, the land of the green and gold! It was there that he would make many wonderful friends on the staff; it was there that he would grow to know terrific Shadle students (many of whom he kept in touch with until the end of his days); it was there that he met the love of his life, Rozella Noonan. They would go on to share almost a half century together in marriage.

Ray received his M.A. in Education / Counseling from Whitworth College (now University). He left Shadle Park to become a counselor at Lewis and Clark High School for two years, and then he returned to Shadle as assistant principal. He remained in that position, which he loved, until his retirement in 1982.

In addition to his work in the public schools, Ray was also a very talented carpenter. When his children were young, he and his father built a beautiful family home in north Spokane near Whitworth. He also built a cozy cabin on Priest Lake, which brought a great deal of joy to him and his family over the years.

Ray loved helping people. After his retirement, he and Rozella spent three months in Alaska, doing mission work through their church. For years they served meals to the homebound through Meals on Wheels. One of Ray's favorite volunteer posts was working at the Spokane Police Department.

While life was always busy for Ray and Rozella, they made plenty of time for traveling in the United States, Europe and Hawaii. They made friends all over the world and left an imprint on the hearts of many.

Ray adored family! Each person on the family tree meant the world to him. He loved his sisters and often said that he, himself, could not have chosen better husbands for them: Enid (Ed) Strang, Mart (Bert) Hayward, Fran (Clare) Oien. "The uncles" were quite a bunch of characters! His nieces and nephews have always been very special to Ray, as well.

Ray's children each held a special place of honor in his life, and when spouses and grandchildren came along, he welcomed them with open arms: Gayle (Hank) Libutti and their daughters, Anna Schmidt, Aimee Schmidt, Sarah Schmidt, and Katie Libutti; Doug (Kim) Mohney and their children, Daren (Desiree) Mohney and Andrea Mohney; and Pam Mohney.

When Ray and Rozella married, his family expanded...and no one was happier about that than Ray: Nancy (Bud) Ashworth and their children, Catherine (Chris) Dixon, Susan (Tracy) Anderson, and Scott (Tanya) Ashworth; and Bill (Pat) Noonan and their children, Kurt (Erin) Noonan, Kris (Bryan) Johnson, and Rick (Lorrin) Noonan.

Ray shared Rozella's joy when great-grandchildren came along: Cameron (Lexi) Dixon, Courtney Dixon, Taylor Loudermilk, Brennan Noonan, Dalen Noonan, Cori (Luke) Noll, Riley Johnson, Bennett Johnson, Abby Mei Noonan, and Bekah Noonan. They were thrilled when they became great, great grandparents to Jakkson Dixon and Owen Dixon.

For the last 20 years, Ray and Rozella lived at Riverview Retirement Community, where they made many lasting friendships. The staff at Riverview treated them royally, and the families of Ray and Rozella will always be very grateful to them for that.

Besides his beloved Rozella, Ray was welcomed into heaven by his son, Doug, and his granddaughter, Sarah, as well as Rozella's son, Bill, and son-in-law, Bud.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, their home church for many years, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Pastor Betsy Winn will officiate. There will be a memorial service for Ray's Riverview family at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, with Pastor Gary Moore officiating.

If desired, memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church or Riverview Retirement Community, or the charity of your choice.