Catherine Ray, a retired Montgomery Ward supervisor who was active in Girl Scouting, died in her sleep of stroke complications Tuesday at Keswick Multi-Care Center. The South Baltimore resident was 101.
Born Catherine Elizabeth Ruppert in Baltimore, she was raised at a boatyard her father owned at Curtis Creek. The family later resided on Battery Avenue, and she attended Southern High School through the ninth grade.
Mrs. Ray worked in the service department of the old Montgomery Ward on Washington Boulevard for more than 25 years and retired as a supervisor.
In 1951 she took over the leadership of Girl Scout Troop 204 at the Church of the Advent and remained active with it for 50 years. Family members said she emphasized community service and had her Scouts visit hospitals and nursing homes. She also ran camping trips and visits to other cities.
"She had a constitution of iron," said her daughter Fern Ray Grumbine of Baltimore. "She was an independent person who was rarely sick. She never drove a car and walked throughout the neighborhood."
She belonged to AARP, the Stonewall Jackson Democratic Club and the Allen Center for Senior Citizens. She made frequent bus trips with senior groups. She was also skilled at bookkeeping and ran the finances for some of her organizations.
"She was a lovely, active person who was very meticulous," said state Sen. George W. Della Jr. "She was an activist for senior citizen issues and would board a bus and go to Annapolis to back a senior cause."
When she turned 90, Mr. Della recognized her birthday at a legislative hearing.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Episcopal Church of the Advent, 1301 S. Charles St., where she was a lifelong member.
In addition to her daughter, survivors include another daughter, Helen Ray Sommers of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Milton Leroy Ray, died in 1978.
Jacques Kelly