Donna R. Ray

Donna Ruby Ray, 75, of Everett, Washington passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at home, with her two daughters holding her hands. Kidney Cancer took her life much too soon, but she was confident she'd be meeting Jesus. We are comforted that she is in Heaven with Her Savior, and free from pain. She will be missed by so many, but now she has the Peace that passes all understanding. Donna was born at Everett General Hospital on the 4th of July, 1938 - yep, the parades and fireworks were for her! She was a firecracker herself. After graduating Everett High's class of '56, she wed Ronald Cross in 1957. Married for 22 years, they raised one son and two daughters in Federal Way, Washington. Donna was a loving and supportive mom; best seamstress, cook, homemaker, hairdresser, Halloween-costume-maker, furniture re-arranger, dollar-stretcher, and face-scrubber around. But, wait a minute!! Donna was a Whole Person who was a product of the times; the "Greatest Generation". She was a liberal-thinking, sassy, high-spirited woman. Marrying young and having children in the 1950's and early 1960's was what she chose to do, but she admitted that most girls those days--herself included--did it without questioning, never imagining other choices. Then came "That 70's Decade" with so many choices and temptations; Rock music, macramé, pottery wheels, tie-dye, denim skirts, perm'd hair. Life happened, she learned new skills, and opened her mind to new possibilities, but through it all, Donna always gave unconditional love to her children. After her kids were raised, Donna went to Cosmetology school, remarried, and eventually opened her own home beauty shop at Dash Point. She loved living by the Puget Sound and taking daily beach walks. Risking it all, she moved to Phoenix, Ariz. with her husband, Mel, where she enjoyed bike riding, swimming pools and sunshine, and worked as a seamstress/cashier at a fancy dress shop. She couldn't resist returning to the Northwest once her first grandbaby was born. She was nuts about her granddaughters, Jackie and Carly. Back on her own and single, Donna moved home to Everett and took wonderful care of her Mother for as long as she could. Her selflessness during that difficult period of caring for her Mom was an inspiration. Luckily, Donna's "Golden Girl" years found her very content and independent. She loved her friends and neighbors at the Mobile Country Club, where she worked in the Clubhouse/Office, and socialized there, as well. Line dancing, Dominoes, chatting over coffee and potlucks were Clubhouse highlights. But, the best part of that community is everybody checking in and looking after their neighbors. It meant a lot to her family knowing she had a terrific extended family all around her. The Joy Group (ladies bible study, Wayside Congregational) from her Federal Way younger days still kept in touch, and her Everett ladies monthly lunch group includes gals she went to grade school and high school with. Donna loved flowers, kitty cats, babies, playing piano, the beach. She loved to laugh and tease; her girlish disposition and sense of humor endeared her to most (if not all). Even the nurses at Providence and Swedish Cancer Institute got a kick out of her. She loved music and movies; especially movie musicals. Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge was an all-time favorite. When her great grandson, Chase, was born, she was once again renewed with Grandma Joy! She adored him, and their relationship was sweet and silly. Preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Iva (White) Ray of Everett, and her two brothers, Gene Ray and Larry Ray, Donna leaves behind three children: Kim Holt (Mark), Kip Cross, Keri Griffith (Tom); two grandchildren, Jaclyn Harris (Scott) and Carly Peck; and a great grandson, Chase Gilbert, along with many loving friends and family who have bolstered her in health and in sickness. A big thanks to all her pals, family and neighbors who visited, encouraged, prayed, drove her to medical appointments and grocery-shopping. Special thanks to Providence Hospice for their comforting care...we wish we hadn't needed 'ya, but sure glad we had 'ya. Donna Ruby Ray was a wonderful Daughter/Woman/Friend, but her greatest Legacy is her love for her children and grandchildren who are heartbroken at the loss of our Mom/Grandma/GG. We love you, and you will be forever and always in our hearts! Donna's request was Cremation, and she will be honored at Graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2014 at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Home. We will continue the Celebration of Life at the clubhouse of the Mobile Country Club. All those who knew and loved Donna are welcome to attend either or both.

Arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett, WA.