Obituary: Roberta “Bobbie” Bray

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

On May 18th, Roberta “Bobbie” Bray, beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully at 83 years young at Portage Pointe surrounded by family. Bobbie was born and raised in Houghton, Michigan where she attended St. Ignatius School and graduated from Houghton High School. She married her husband, Robert “Red” Bray, on September 8th, 1959, and had their three daughters, Kim, Terrie, and Erin, together until his passing in 1975.

Throughout the years Bobbie worked at the Houghton Portage Township schools, spent 13 years at the Houghton County Clerk’s Office, and worked at the St. Ignatius Church as their secretary until her retirement.

Bobbie was a member of the Red Hats Society and the St. Ignatius Church of Houghton. Her passions included genealogy, baking, dancing, and music.

For the past two decades, she was a devoted grandmother to her only grandchildren, Makenna and Jayden Nuttall, whom she loved the most, filling their stomachs and hearts with her famous baked goods and everlasting love and support.

Bobbie was known for her headstrong spirit, clever wit, and loyalty to Pepsi. Bobbie leaves behind a strong family to carry on her memory and recipes to continue her love in the years to come.

            Bobbie is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Red” Bray, her parents Robert and Marion Ricard, brother Robert Ricard, step-father John Maki, and brother-in-law James (Mary) Bray.

            Bobbie is survived by her daughters Kim (Jeff) Kent of Whitefish Montana, Terrie Bray (John Lukowski) of Hancock, and Erin (Rodney) Nuttall of Hancock. Her two grandchildren Makenna and Jayden Nuttall. Her two sisters, Sharron (John) Anderson of Hancock and Yvonne (James) Lightfoot of Houghton. Her sister-in-law Judy Ricard of Pewaukee, WI, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

            A special thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Portage Pointe who took care of Bobbie during her time there.

The visitation will be held at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral home Wednesday, May 24th from 4-6 PM, with a funeral liturgy to follow right after, with Father John Martignon to officiate. The burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton on the following day.

Online condolences may be left at oneilldenisfh.com