Susan Elizabeth Ray (September 1, 1953 - August 29, 2026) 

Sue was full of surprises! 

Sue suffered anoxia at birth and was born with a significant heart defect. She wasn’t expected to survive adolescence - much less seven decades. And what a remarkable life she had - full of challenges, adventure, love, laughter, family, and friends.

The youngest of seven children, Sue grew up in Newton and Brookline.When she was five years old, she attended the Beacon Nursery School inBrookline. There weren’t many supports for children with disabilities in the1950s so our parents were delighted when the William H. Lincoln School inBrookline began a classroom for children with special needs. Sue was one of the founding members of this program and attended daily classes.

In 1968 our family moved to New York City. Sue adapted well to living inManhattan. Initially she was enrolled in the NYC Public School System but then transitioned to the United Cerebral Palsy Developmental Training program where she received both occupational and speech therapy.

Most importantly soon after the move to NYC, a wonderful caregiver, Paula Kafes, joined our family. Paula and Sue quickly became soulmates and Paula was a positive influence on Sue’s development. They would walk daily between East End Ave and Fifth Ave. They even survived being hit by a car.Fortunately, a neighbor witnessed the accident and got them to the emergency room immediately.

During the twenty years she lived in NYC, Sue enjoyed countless family gatherings on Fishers Island and visits around the country to visit with her many siblings. She loved her 18 nieces and nephews as well as their respective dogs. Blessed with her father’s sense of humor and mother's sense of fashion, Sue was quick to laugh and she took great care selecting her outfit each day. Sue and Paula enjoyed several family trips to Europe and Sue attended both day and overnight camp for part of the summer. Sue loved going to new places and meeting new people. She had a sense of adventure.

In the late 1980s Paula had a stroke. Due to our parents’ advanced age and there cognition that Paula was unable to continue providing caregiving, they decided to investigate long term care for Sue. Through this process, they were introduced to New England Village (NEV) in Pembroke, MA. After confirming that NEV was a proper fit through a test period, Sue was accepted as a new member of their Residential Program in 1989.

Sue’s move to New England Village was transformational. No longer the only, somewhat sheltered child still living at home, Sue was launched into a vibrant community with other adults with special needs. We noticed immediately that she began dressing in a more adult manner and had many new friends.]

Sue’s growth at the Village was phenomenal. She benefited from the upgrades to the campus over her 37 years at NEV and the ever improving programming. Initially, she worked in a sheltered workshop in nearbyHanson and was proud of all the money she was making. After the SolarWellness Center was built on campus, she enjoyed weekly swimming, exercise and art classes. Sue became involved in activities off campus too. A community chorus participant, she attended weekly practices in Duxbury and performed in holiday and spring concerts in the community. Her participation on the NEV Bowling and Special Olympics teams took her to competitions around the state. She also went on several camping trips with the family of one of her housemates.

In recent years, Sue spent the week at the new Efron Center for Enrichment in Kingston, a NEV day program offering classes in art, music, gardening and cooking. As her health failed and she was in a wheel chair and needed 24hour oxygen, she cut back her time at the Efron Center to mornings. But that didn’t dampen her spirit. When we visited her at Watson House, her home at the Village, she would look up from her beading, lego or drawing project and welcome us with a warm smile. If we had remembered to bring her a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee or an ice cream treat, we were most welcome!

We will always associate the song “Leaving on a Jet Plane” with Sue. She performed it countless times for fellow residents with the NEV music director. Staff members tell us they associate “You are my Sunshine” withSue because it captures her ability to bring happiness and joy into the community. Her excitement for a party, a shopping trip, a new outfit, and having her nails done was boundless. So was the love and concern Sue exhibited toward others. She was compassionate and loving. This love was reciprocated by the residents and staff of the NEV community.

Sue passed away peacefully at Watson House. She had lived at the Villagehalf her life. Our family will always be grateful for love, care and kindnessSue received from the staff over 37 years. We are also grateful for the support Sue, the staff and our family received from Old Colony Hospice andPalliative Care of West Bridgewater.

Susan was predeceased by her parents: Helen (Payne) and William F. Rayand by her nephew George Sturgis and her niece Tracy Harlor. She is survived by her sisters: Kitty Sturgis, Barbara Stevens (Rufus King), Mary Struthers (Harvey), Peggy Gilbert (Tom), Whitney Ray-Dawson (Channing),her twin brother Bill Ray (Sue Harlor) and by her nieces and nephews: Rob Sturgis; Jake, Peter, Will and Kate Stevens and Alex King; Tim and Jonathan Struthers and Carolyn Reibel; Carrie and Dan Gilbert; Tessa, Jack, and ElizaDawson and Grace Walton; Alison Maier and by many great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 4 pm in the Ray Assembly Hall, New England Village, 664 School Street,Pembroke, MA 02359.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s memory to NewEngland Village, 664 School Street, Pembroke, MA 02359https://newenglandvillage.givecloud.co/SueRayInMemorSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone