Obituary

At the end of the holidays many of us say goodbye, see you soon to our siblings.

However, there are very few of us that know we are saying goodbye for the last time, nor do we know we will be meeting up again before the next round of family gatherings.

Sister and brother Gail Franzen and Dellbert Ray Sr. had that experience December 30, 2004. They were both at CMMC in Lewiston with congestive heart failure. Gail was on the third floor and Dellbert was on the first floor. Once Dellbert made the decision to have all of his IV's removed, the nurses and his family arranged for him to be wheeled to the third floor for a final goodbye with his sister. With several members of their families and Rev. Linda Gard present a final I love you passed between them and a kiss on the hand. He stated "we will see each other soon because we are going to the same place."

In younger years, Gail was her little bother's babysitter and often showed him the way. She led him home the following day. Gail L. (Ray) Franzen, 88, of Yarmouth Rd., Gray, died Friday December 31, 2004 in the afternoon. She was born on February 21, 1916 the daughter of Oren E. and Estelle (Nelson) Ray. She graduated from New Gloucester High School in 1934, where she enjoyed Latin, Literature, and playing basketball.

She worked at the Mansion House in Poland Spring. She liked playing baseball after work when the Mansion House Team played against the Poland Spring Inn Team. She had several fond memories of living in Portland during the war years. During that time she worked as a waitress at different establishments. Gail retired from the shoe industry in 1987.

In her younger years she enjoyed fly fishing, going to the theater, and going to the night clubs. Gail's favorite past times were driving, going to the movies, eating out, and telling stories. She was meticulous about her appearance. She lived in Florida, California, New York and Maine during her lifetime. Gail was predeceased by her husband Ernest Franzen. She is survived by her two sisters Edith "Dolly" (Ray) Jordan of Auburn, and Joan (Ray) McCarthy of New Gloucester, and her brother Donald Ray, Sr. of New Gloucester. She will be greatly missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Per her request, there will be no funeral or visiting hours. There will be a private burial in the spring.

Dellbert C. Ray Sr., 77, of Minot, Died December 31, 2004 in the evening, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norway, March 13, 1927. He was the son of Oren E. and Edith J. (Walker) Ray Sr. He spent most of his life in New Gloucester.

On June 7, 1945 he married Ruth Eriksen and together they had nine children. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of World War II. He was the last living charter member of AMVETS Post 6. On June 10, 1972 he married his loving wife Mary L. Hotham Carr. He worked for the town of New Gloucester for many years before retirement.

A few of his favorite things where spending time with his family and friends, keeping his lawn perfect, dancing, horseshoes, and wrestling.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Mary, of Minot, His children, Andrea (Ray) Foster, and Stephen Ray both of Poland, Eric Ray Sr., and Gregory Ray both of New Gloucester, Douglas Ray Sr. of Washington State, Melody (Ray) Danforth of Wales, Melinda (Ray) Meldrum of New Vineyard, Melissa (Ray) Letellier of Lyman, Dellbert Ray Jr. of Minot, and Pamela Sampson of Lewiston. His step-children whom he felt as his own, Rose Rowe, and Daniel Carr both of Oxford, Stephanie Walker, Bonnie Carr, and Kathleen Boynton all of Mechanic Falls, and Penny Dion of Lewiston.

As well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Dellbert was predeceased by a son David Ray, two step-sons, Glen Carr and William Carr; Gail and Delbert were predeceased by their parents; three brothers George Ray, Oren Ray Jr., and Melcon Ray; Two sisters Leonora Dixon and Gail Franzen.