Sally Ray December 28, 1910 - January 12, 2011

Sally Ray died peacefully in her sleep in the loving care of the staff at Harmony House in Bend, where she had lived for the past seven years. "Sally," born Louisa Jane Milner on a farm near Exeland, Wisconsin on December 28, 1910, married Clifford Gardner Ray in 1930 in Winona, Minnesota. After several moves, they came to Sisters in 1948 and remained here until Clifford's death and Sally's move to Bend.

At Harmony House, where Jacqueline Thea visited Sally several times during her last few days, she assured friends and family that Sally was resting comfortably in one of her soft pastel sweatsuits, which she favored. Sally had always loved dolls; some of her friends remembered this and she received several for her 100th birthday. One in particular was mentioned, dressed in pink fleece, as was Sally, and which she liked to hold because of its comforting softness.

Sally had been able to attend a quiet but festive birthday celebration on December 28, 2010, but was somewhat taken aback that she had reached this milestone. The article that appeared in The Nugget on December 29, 2010 was read to Sally both by Jacqueline Thea and a staff member who regularly read to Sally from her hometown paper.

Sally is survived by one sister, Esther Gordon of Wisconsin, and her large family. More about Sally and Clifford can be found in the book, "A History of the Deschutes Country in Oregon."

A memorial service will be held for Sally at her internment with her family in Wisconsin.

Information provided by friends of Sally Ray.