Edna Lyons Cray

Edna Lyons Cray, age 91, passed away at the Abbott House in Swampscott, Massachusetts surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 24, 1924, she was the daughter of the late James T. and Edna (Smith) Lyons. Edna was raised in Lisbon Falls, Maine, graduating as Valedictorian from Lisbon Falls High School in 1941. Edna continued her education at Lasalle College, earning her degree as Medical Secretary in 1943. After graduating, she lived in Boston and worked for Dr. Ferguson at Childrens Hospital.

During this time, Edna met and fell in love with Naval Officer, Eugene W. Cray, Jr. Edna and Eugene were married on September 18, 1948 at the Church of the Holy Family in Lisbon Falls, with a reception held at the Poland Springs Resort. They settled in Walpole, Massachusetts, building their family home on Hoover Road, where they raised their three children. Edna was active in the Fisher School PTA and the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Women's Club.

When her children grew older, Edna began working at Sears and Roebuck in 1966 in Norwood, and continued to work at Sears for 38 years. She later moved to Brightview in Danvers in 2009 to be closer to her daughter.

Edna was an active member of the Norwood Widows Group and kept in touch with her high school, college and Walpole friends. She enjoyed line dancing, playing bridge, and bowling with her grandchildren.

Edna is the beloved wife of the late Eugene W. Cray, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Martha Gene and her husband Laurence Kelleher of Swampscott, William C. and his wife Donna (Bilotta) Cray of Jupiter, FL, and the late James E. Cray and his wife Barbara (Hudak) Cray of Plainville. She is the cherished grandmother of James E. Cray of Salem, Kimberly White of Coconut Grove, FL, Laura Cray of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Kelleher of Swampscott and Kevin Kelleher of Boston. She is the sister of the late James Lyons of Lewiston, ME and the late John Lyons of Bennington, VT. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Edna's Celebration of Life on Sunday, May 15, 2016 from 4-8PM and Monday, May 16, 2016 from 9-9:30AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Edna's name may be made to: Care Dimensions / Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.