Grayce Ray
January 27, 1939 ~ August 15, 2012
Grayce Marie Ray (nee Cassidy) died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, in Fargo, North Dakota on 15 August at the age of 73.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Grayce’s life spanned several careers across half a continent. She began as an educator, teaching English at both Shanley High School and Moorhead State University, but she was also an award-winning journalist for papers from North Dakota to Virginia whose research included skydiving and spending a night in jail. She was a published poet and coeditor of Dakotah Territory. Actress, mother, and crusader, Grayce was fearless in her dedication; her final act was corneal donation.
Grayce is survived by her beloved husband, Paul Riemerman; her three children, Allison Campbell, Sean Ray, and Hilary Ray; her two grandchildren, Evan Ray and Margaret McKenzie-Ray; and numerous dear friends.
Grayce’s life will be celebrated in a service at the Congregational United Church of Christ of Valley City, North Dakota. The family encourages contributions to the American Indian College Fund or Foster Care to Success in lieu of flowers.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Saint Paul Minnesota
I followed Deb as yearbook editor at Shanley, and had plenty of laughs — and not a few arguments — with Ms. Ray during the production of that book. But I always learned a lot from her. She was a wonderful teacher and friend. Godspeed, Grayce.
Fargo `NDI had the privilege of teaching with Grayce at Shanley many years ago. We also partnered to do sessions on women’s rights and awareness of womens issues for continuing education programs in Minnesota
. These “field trips” were so much fun – driving somewhere for an hour with lots of “talk time”, encountering a variety responses, and then rehashing the whole experience on the way home. She was such an articulate and insightful person, witty, intellligent, sensitive – an absolute joy to have as a colleague and partner on a subject that we both valued so much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, her family, at this time of loss.
Ms. Ray still is my favorite teacher. Her class was always interesting because she cared about what she taught and she cared about us. She treated us with respect even when she had to give us a hard message. The most important thing she taught me was by example: always keep your head held high.
Ft. Atkinson WIPaul, what can we say except we are so sorry for your loss, and the loss of Grayce in this life for all those who knew her. Theresa and I were so fortunate to have you both as friends and mentors and having Grayce introduce us has made our life together possible.
All our love to you at this time,
Steve and Theresa
El rachamim for Grayce,
God, full of mercy, who dwells in the heights, provide a sure rest upon the Divine Presence’s wings, within the range of the holy, pure and glorious, whose shining resemble the sky’s, to the soul of Grayce, for a charity was given to the memory of her soul. Therefore, the Master of Mercy will protect him forever, from behind the hiding of his wings, and will tie his soul with the rope of life. The Everlasting is her heritage, and she shall rest peacefully upon her lying place, and let us say: Amen.
St. Cloud MN
I was yearbook editor at Shanley the first year Ms. Ray was the advisor. How lucky I was to work with someone so unique, encouraging, creative and funny. I am glad she was part of my life for that year, and wish I would have stayed in touch. I want her family to know of the positive influence she had upon me. Deepest sympathy to you at this time of loss.
I didn’t know about the existence of this obit guestbook until just today. I was looking up my brother Paul’s obits today (we lost him as a due to his contracting lung cancer last spring and he passed just this last winter) and came across her own obit in the process. Grayce was a much beloved member of our family and she is still a much missed one. She could be prickly at times, but was always a truth-teller and someone who loved with her entire being. I still say to this day (and have repeated recently) that Grayce’s coming into Paul’s life quite literally saved his life. Grayce was quite literally a gem and I will be forever thankful to her for all the love she lavished on Paul over the many years they were married!! I just wish that they had been able to live closer to the rest of our family at some point during their altogether much too short lives