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OBITUARY
Jane Thomas Ray
October 18, 1950 – August 1, 2024
Sweet, kind, funny Jane Ray passed away on August 1. She was the best mom and the best friend and we will miss her forever.
Jane was born in October 1950 to Ray and Barbara Thomas and had three sisters – Judy, Pat, and Jill. She married Mike Ray in 1972 and together they brought Max and Stephanie into the world. With the exception of a little time she spent in Torrey, Utah, she lived her life in Salt Lake. She graduated from East High School and earned a degree in social work from the University of Utah at the age of 59. While she had several jobs in restaurants and the insurance and customer service departments for Minit Lube/QLube, her last, and her favorite, was being a caregiver. That’s what she liked best – taking care of and spending time with people she loved. Jane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2012 and bravely battled it for her last 12 years.
Jane had so many talents. She could draw, arrange flowers, craft, and decorate houses. She was a fantastic cook and a talented baker and loved to share what she made. She and Stephanie loved to cook and bake together for any occasion – especially the holidays. She was an amazing seamstress and embroiderer and made the absolute best Halloween costumes.
She loved music and concerts. She knew all the words to all the songs and was never afraid to belt something out at the top of her lungs at any given moment. She saw all the amazing bands live, something we have never given up trying to top. She loved movies and getting all her friends and family together for annual Oscars parties. She couldn’t get enough of animals and babies and struggled to pass any by without giving them attention. We always had pets – Maggie, Burt, Sally, Dolsey, Fred, Hank, and her two cats, June and Mel. And she loved Max’s dog, Kaka, like he was her own.
She hated worms.
She loved us, her kids, more than anything and would have done anything for us. She fought all the good fights for us and did everything she could to make sure that we were loved and cared for. She was a Girl Scout leader, a room mother, and a hockey mom. She showed up for everything. She rooted for us every day in everything we did. She taught us how to be good people.
Jane was so kind. So funny. So nice. She cherished her friends and loved to make her people happy. She always made everything fun. We have never met a person who knew our mom and didn’t love her. We should all be so lucky to be as missed as she will be and to leave behind the mark that she made. While we’re brokenhearted that she left us much too soon, we’re so grateful that we had the time we did with her. And we’re so relieved that her battle is over and she can finally enjoy all her memories again.
We can’t express enough gratitude for the amazing love and care she received over the past 12 years. Thank you so much to all her caregivers, especially Brie at Alta Ridge Holladay, Becky Nitsuma, Stacy, Donna, and Kathy from SL County Aging Services, Emily and the staff at Alta Ridge Memory Care, and Sarah from Auburn Crest. We could not have made it through without you.
An open house to celebrate Jane will be held at Stephanie and Marc’s house on Saturday, August 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. 3635 E Avondale Drive (7750 S) in Cottonwood Heights. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/millcreek-ut/jane-ray-11925439
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Dan Brown
I am really saddened to hear about Jane. I believe her being kind was her most endering attribute. I remember going to see Jimi Hendrix with her in 1968. She wrote me a few years ago and told me that gave her a great deal of credibility with her clients in the prison system. Rock on, Jane.
Elizabeth /Betsy Baker
Jane was one of the girls from school who I will never forget. I didnt know her much while in High School, but we worked together at Ruths Diner for a number of years. She was stellar, the kind of person we should all strive to be; never an unkind word towards anyone; always joyful and positive. She was so proud of her children. I saw her a number of years ago when she was working as a care giver for her friend who had alzheimers. A good soul, who always will have a special place in my heart. She is with the angels.
Holly Williams (Schelin)
My heart is broken. Jane was my best friend in high school, college and after her marriage for many years. I introduced her to her husband Mike, who worked with me at ZCMI, and I helped her decorate her first house. When dementia was diagnosed I couldn't believe it would happen to her. She cared for her sister with dementia for years and there was family history but it seemed unlikely she would fall victim. The last time I saw her on Valentines this year, we played Beatles song (her favorites) and I held her hand and told her stories about our adventures together. She didn't know me, but after an hour, as I was leaving, she looked in my eyes and said "you are a wonderful woman." I left sobbing, knowing she had no idea who I was, but realizing we would always have a connection, which I cherish. REST IN PEACE Jane. Know you are remembered and loved and dementia is no longer your burden to bear. Love you my friend!
Annette Challis (Moon)
Jane was such a dear friend. Cathy Hardy and I went to visit her after learning she was in a Memory Care Unit. We weren't sure is she would remember us with her memory loss. It had been years since we had seen her. As she was brought over to us, we just mentioned our names and she immediately smiled and hugged us. We spent the next two hours sharing memories and laughing about our years growing up together on Yalecrest. We had such a wonderful time reminiscing about slumber parties, surprise birthday parties, night games, elementary, junior high and high school memories. I am so sad to hear she has passed away but am glad she is no longer tormented with that cruel disease. Love you Jane!
Melinda Snow (Rich)
Growing up in Yalecrest Ward was such fun. We had a great group of girls to play with. Jane was so fun and artistic and full of ideas. She was pretty, kind and full of love. I remember going to Ruth's diner and seeing her there. We had a fun time talking together. It is hard to lose someone who shared things with you. I loved Jane's parents. They were so good to all of us. I love to think of the celebration on the other side with her Mom and Dad, Pat and Judy. I love thinking of her freedom from her body and mind and full of life and happinrss. M.Rest in peace good friend... Melinda