Dear Cousins,
I am very sorry for your loss. Be thankful you were blessed to have Uncle Ray and even Aunt Rita well into your adult years and that your children were able to grow up with their grandparents. As you know, as Dolly's children we were not as blessed.
Growing up I remember many visits from Uncle Ray & Aunt Rita at our house in Columbia Station. And after we moved to Lear Nagle - 3 doors down from your parents Aunt Rita & my Mom were constant companions. I know my mother's passing was very hard on Aunt Rita and she felt lost without her.
I hadn't seen Uncle Ray for far too many years. He and Rosie accompanied Uncle Larry & Aunt Dori to Canada for my wedding where Uncle Larry walked me down the aisle. Uncle Ray had his usual good good time with a constant twinkle in his eye.
Unfortunately for us cousins Uncle Ray was the last "tie that binds". Times are very different now compared to when we were growing up and nowadays everyone has very busy lives and we are all over the continent. We have never put much effort into our relationships as first cousins and Uncle Ray's death makes me realize that. He was the last of the "family generation" - he will be greatly missed.
So Sorry for You Loss,
Patty Bedford (nee Young)
