Rita M. (Boal) Wray

Rita Highsmith Wray, 87, passed away June 23, 2015.

She was born February 8, 1928 to the late Lester and Alice Boal in Akron Ohio and was preceded in death by her husband, Lou Wray, brother, James Boal, sisters, Mildred Willoughby and Dorothy Saulic, stepson, James Wray. She was employed by the Battelle Memorial Institute for 10 years following her employment at the Tallmadge Middle School as an assistant to the guidance team. After graduation from Akron East High School she worked at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for several years. She was a very active volunteer with the Mr. & Mrs. Club at the Tallmadge First Congregational Church, the United Ostomy Association and Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA. She was awarded the United Ostomy Association’s highest honor, the Sam Dubin Award in 1980 for exceptional volunteer service. She was a longtime resident of Tallmadge before moving to Columbus for ten years and then returning to Tallmadge in 1986 after retirement from Battelle.

She is survived by her sons, Denny (Judi), Dale (Pam), Dave (Janet) Highsmith, stepdaughters, Janice Jacobs (Texas), Gale (Florida) and stepson,  Jeff Wray (Missouri). She leaves 13 grandchildren with 9 spouses and 20 great-grandchildren and brothers, William, Larry and Kenneth Boal, sisters, Judy Boyer, Jean Scarborough and Christine Jonard, former husband, Dennis Highsmith of Florida.

Visiting hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015 followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle) with Rev. Dr. John Schluep officiating.

A brief graveside visit at the Tallmadge Cemetery will be followed by a group meal at The First Congregational Church, 85 Heritage Drive Tallmadge Oh 44278. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tallmadge First Congregational Church.

Special thanks to the staff at Magnolia Village Retirement Home in Wadsworth for the loving care they provided to our mother.     

 Service Information