Mrs. Vivian U. Bray, 96, wife of the late Richard H. Bray, peacefully passed away Tuesday evening, April 22, 2014 at the St. Regis Nursing Home, where she had been a resident since August 30, 2012.

Vivian, daughter of the late Edmund and Olga Harmer, was born March 30, 1918 in Sackets Harbor, New York. She graduated from Adams Center High School in 1935 and from Nurses Training at the House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown, New York. She married Richard H. Bray in 1941 at the Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. Vivian, a register nurse, lived in Massena since then.

Vivian taught nursing classes to Junior and Senior school girls and nurse’s aides during World War II. Some became LPN’s as a result. She was night supervisor at the original Massena Hospital and was instrumental in helping open the present Massena Memorial Hospital. She was active in part time general duty and private duty at both Massena Memorial and Highland Nursing Home until her retirement in 1985. Vivian was a lifelong and very active member of the Advent Christian Church, which is now the Northside Community Church. She devoted a great amount of her time to her church, the church choir, and many other activities within the church. Vivian centered her life around always helping others.

Vivian is survived by her children and their spouses, Sandra and Patrick McGreevy of Brasher Falls and William and Margaret Bray of Walworth; her grandchildren, Chris and Ann Marie Bray, Kevin and Robin Bray, Peter John Davis, Tim McGreevy and Matthew and Liz McGreevy; seven great grandchildren; her sister, Ruth Soderquist of Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Richard H. Bray, Jr. on July 14, 1987; a grandson, William R. Bray, Jr.; her brother, George Harmer; her sisters, Ruby Harmer and Margaret Engelhardt; and her sister-in-law, Marjorie Barkley.

Friends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena on Monday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at the Northside Community Church with Rev. George Middleton, officiating. Burial will follow the services in Pine Grove Cemetery, Area 1, Massena, with a luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Northside Community Church Memorial Fund, 39 North Main Street, Massena, New York, 13662

Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonfh.com.