CHRISTINA ESTELLA RAY Devoted Wife, Mother & Grandmother Wolcott ~ On Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 10:40 am at the age of 73, our heavenly Father dispatched his angels to St. Marys Hospital to escort Christina "Tina" Ray home. She was born Christina Santos on March 25, 1937 in Waterbury to her late parents, Jose Ana dos Santos and Estella Atkins Santos. Christina was a member of St. Thomas Church, attended St. Thomas Elementary School and graduated from Wilby High School in 1955. Tina was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends. Having spent her entire life in Waterbury and Wolcott, Tinas warm smile and outgoing personality will be missed by many. She worked for 25 years at Southbury Training School and after volunteering for several years for the Waterbury Knights as a cheerleading coach, she was also known by many as Coach Nana. Tina also loved to travel; after taking her 10th cruise on Carnival Cruise Line in April of 2010, she was awarded aPlatinum Membership. Tina is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years, Franklin D. Ray; 5 children, Everett Butler, Manuel Ray, Ronyah Ray, Monique Ray, Capucina Ray Douglass; son-in-law Curtis Douglass; daughters-in-law, Miriam Ray, Betty Sambula;7 grandchildren Yasmine Ray, Mandela Ray, Manuel Ray Jr., Benjamin Concepcion, Vanessa Concepcion, Mirianil Rivera, Anibal Rivera;3 greatgrand-children Shane Franklin Ray, James Anthony Concepcion, J'leena Concepcion; 1 sister Ida Rice of Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends, and her 2 dedicated companions, Bijou and Fefe. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Leroy Davis and Peter Santos. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 10:30 am at St. Peter & Paul Church, 67 Southmayd Rd., Waterbury. Friends are asked to meet directly at the Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 6 to 9 at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Rd., Wolcott. Memorial gifts may be made to American Kidney Foundation, 920 Farmington Ave., Suite 102, West Hartford, CT 06107.

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