Dora R. Baray

Dora Ruiz Baray, 85, passed away March 12, 2012. A West Tampa native, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray Baray and her parents, Candida "Cusa" Ruiz and Liborio Ruiz. She is survived by her sister Violet Ruiz McGimsey and brother Henry Ruiz (aka "Tedd Webb"), nieces Aileen Alvarez (Luis), Vivian Leto (Frank)' Terri Zapata (Guillermo) and Amanda Houston, nephews Lee Ruiz, Nicholas Ruiz, Brian McGimsey, and several great nieces, nephews, and friends. Dora was the long time concession stand girl at West Tampa's legenday Royal Theater, a job she loved and spoke often of fondly. She moved away to California, where she was employed 33 years as the top Administrative Assistant to the director of the Fresno County Welfare Department. She retired back to Tampa in 1981 and joined the office of Dr. Sylvia F. Carra, Ph.D. where she worked another 20 years. Dora also dedicated 16 years of service as a Surgical Hostess Volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital. She was a faithful Catholic, a proud Democrat, a lover of animals (especially her angel in the pocket "Pepito") and of books, poetry, music, the theatre, art, food, wine and movies, (especially Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart films). A graduate of Tampa Business College, she also received her Associate of Arts Degree from Fresno City College. In her youth, she was a basketball star for both St. Joseph's Catholic School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy. She was always there for her family, as a caring daughter, a loyal and loving sister and an adoring aunt. The family wishes to thank LifePath Hospice's "Garnett" team for the loving care and respect given to Dora and to the staff of The Abigail House for the comfort and kindness extended to her and the family. We also want to acknowledge three very important people for their love of and compassion for Dora, childhood friend and long-time companion Hector Buria, her special angel, Samantha Diaz and her home caretaker Normalyn Brown. Per Dora's request, there will be no funeral services. A Mass will be given in her honor on Saturday, March 31st at 10:00am. at OLPH Church in Ybor City, with Father Thomas Stokes, S.M., officiating. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to any of the following organizations in her memory: the St. Joseph's Catholic School scholarship fund, LifePath Hospice, the Alzheimer Association or The Humane Society of Tampa Bay.