Obituary of Nancy Ray

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Nancy Elizabeth Ray passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Waterloo Heights Seniors Apartments, at the age of 86.

Born on March 4, 1939, in Moorefield, Nancy was the daughter of Stanley Bowman and Frances (née Welsh).

Nancy was the cherished wife of Ted Ray (predeceased in 2012), beloved mother of daughter Susan Jordan and sons David Ray and Michael Ray (predeceased in 2024), and proud grandmother of Alex Jordan and Taylor Jordan. She is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and by her siblings Jane Laman, Lenore Kuenzie, Sally Coulbeck, Erle Bowman, and Merry Carol Bowman.

Nancy attended the University of Toronto for one year and then Teachers’ College in Stratford before beginning her dream job at the Waterloo County Board of Education as a teacher. After starting her family, she continued working as a teaching assistant.

Wanting to keep a promise to herself and her mother to complete her university education, Nancy studied evenings and weekends for 20 years, proudly earning her BA at the age of 42.

Nancy was involved in many volunteer roles throughout her life. Highlights include the Consumers’ Association of Canada, the Garden Club of Kitchener Waterloo, teaching children and adults at University Heights, and 28 years on the executive boards of fibromyalgia support groups — work shaped by her own 40-year experience with chronic pain.

Nancy and Ted (also a teacher) loved travelling and explored much of Canada and the United States with their children in their tent trailer. In retirement, they continued travelling, spending many years touring in their camper van, and branched out with trips to Europe as well.

Nancy will be remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Her thoughtfulness, empathy, and gratitude throughout every season of her life will remain an inspiration to all who knew her.

Many thanks to the staff and dear friends at Waterloo Heights Seniors Apartments, where Nancy enjoyed 11 wonderful years.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Memorial service to follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 2:00 p.m., followed by refreshments and continued visiting and sharing memories of Nancy.