Yvonne Ray of Red Deer, Alberta passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the age of 76 years.

Yvonne’s story starts on February 15, 1943, the second youngest (the baby girl) of 16 children. She was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She grew up in Delmas, Saskatchewan with her mom and dad, Alexis and Marilda Beloin, and her 15 siblings. Yvonne met the love of her life, Lorne Ray, in high school and they were married for 57 years. She had two children, Lorna and Dean. Her family increased to daughter-in-law, Sharmagne, and four grandchildren, Kelli, Ashley, Melissa and Ryan (and grand dog Leo); then recently to her delight, a great-grandchild, Isla.

Yvonne loved her family and would do anything for them; family always came first. She moved a lot with her family over the years due to Lorne’s work. Their travels were from North Battleford, Wynyard, Melville and Canora, Saskatchewan; then off to Queen Charlotte Islands in Masset, BC, back to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, then off to Lethbridge, Alberta. Lorne and Yvonne had a successful Home Hardware store in Three Hills, Alberta and then they retired in Red Deer, Alberta. Yvonne loved to travel with family and friends to locations such as Alaska, Europe (British Isles), Disneyland, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaii, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. She loved driving to events with family and friends and being together, socializing and planning get-togethers.

One of Yvonne’s passions was cooking for her family and friends. She loved to cook for everyone and was the best. She loved music and played piano growing up. She and Lorne loved to see their son, Dean, play music shows locally and internationally in Punta Cana; she danced and listened to him to the end. Music was always special to her. Her favourite singers were Dean Ray and Elvis Presley.

Yvonne was diagnosed three-and-a-half-years ago (2016) with a rare cancer, Sezary syndrome (T-cell cutaneous lymphoma) and battled to the end. She wanted to show everyone she was going to win this battle and fought till her last breath. Unfortunately, she passed away May 7, 2019 with family by her side. Yvonne was so positive, loving, caring, and loved family, friends and life. Like her husband Lorne would always say, “She was the best.” She will be in our hearts forever. Yvonne would have said to us all: “Be good to everyone. Always be positive rain or shine and be great as you can be. At the end of the day, we will see the bright blue sky as deep as the big blue sea, That’s how I want you to”,

“Remember Me.”

Love You Forever

Yvonne is lovingly remembered by spouse Lorne Ray; son Dean (Sharmagne); grandchildren Kelli (Troy), Melissa (Aaron), Ryan (Allyson) and Ashley (Gord); brothers Ed (Janine), Jack (Sharon), Gilbert (Pat), Gabriel, and Dennis (Lori); sisters Therese, Marie (Abe) and Bernie; and sister-in-laws June, Lorraine, Toni and Lucy. She was predeceased by daughter Lorna; brothers Joe, Romeo, Louis, Rene, Armand and Dan; sister Josephine; brother-in-laws George, Harris, Jim, Bill, Terry, Frank, Harvey; sister-in-law Bernice; her parents Alexis and Marilda Beloin; and her in-laws Rodrick and Edith Ray.

A Memorial Service will be held at CrossRoads Church (38105 Range Road 275, Red Deer) on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Ken Lehman officiating. For those wishing to attend, please enter church using the north east “Chapel” entrance.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Central Alberta Cancer Centre, 3942 – 50A Avenue, PO Bag 5030, Red Deer AB, T4N 4E7.

Condolences for Yvonne’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Arrangements in care of Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta, 587-876-4944.

• Date : 2019-05-07
• Location : Red Deer