Obituary of Joanne L. Wray

Joanne L. Wray, age 91, of Rome, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2016 at Bethany Gardens. Joanne was born in Oxford, IA on April 2, 1925 to the late William and Philobina Bireline Leeney. She graduated from high school in Iowa and received a Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State and then a Master's Degree in Special Education from Yeshiva University in NYC. On December 16, 1967 in Nanuet, NY, she was united in marriage to Bernard Wray; a blessed union of 48 years until his passing on August 1, 2015. She taught special education at the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls School for special children in Westchester County. Joanne was a dedicated and compassionate teacher and counselor. She was a co-founder, along with her husband, Bernie, and director of the Rock Creek Farm, in Thompson, PA, from 1965 to 1991. The Rock Creek Farm was a summer residential camp dedicated to the counseling and caring of emotionally disturbed children. Joanne is survived by three sons and two daughters in law, C. Christopher and Melanie Fries of St. Louis, MO, Michael and Tanna Fries of Westernville, and David Wray of Thompson, PA; a daughter and son in law, Debra and George Gabriel of Sterling, VA; grandchildren, Christopher (Tina) Fries, Elizabeth (Ron) Lea, Carol (Richard) Simpson, Ashley Wray, Carrie and Peter Gabriel, and Jessica (Scott) Stech; four great grandchildren, Carter and Amelia Fries, and Colin and Quentin Lea; and one sister, Harriet Hopps of FL. She was predeceased by a sister, Alicia Green; and two brothers, Louis and Benjamin Leeney. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 2 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 2 PM prior to the service. Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.