Rayola A. "Ray" Appleby

Rayola A. “Ray” Appleby      “loving mother and grandmother”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Rayola A. “Ray” Appleby, 69, of Shinglehouse, passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, June 10, 2017, after a long illness.

Born on January 18, 1948 in Olean, NY, she was a daughter of Keith “Whitey” and Essie Newton Washburn.  She was married to Paul G. Appleby, who passed away on May 12, 1989.

Ray was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse and then received an associate’s degree from Jamestown Community College in Olean.  She earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University.  She was employed as a librarian at St. Bonaventure University for many years and had also been employed as a librarian at Jamestown Community College in Olean.

Ray was a lifetime member of the former Shinglehouse Volunteer Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a volunteer at the Oswayo Valley Senior Center in Shinglehouse, where she made many crocheted and knitted items for fundraising events and also did their bookkeeping.  She loved going on trips with the Senior Center.  She enjoyed doing crafts, including quilting, cross stitching, and sewing.  She very much enjoyed teaching others to do crafts.  Each of her children “were required” to knit their own Christmas stockings.  Her greatest love was her family.

Surviving are four children, Pamela G. Lamb of Shinglehouse, Catrina M. (John) Powley of Hinsdale, NY, Mark J. Appleby of Fabius, NY, and Loren K. Appleby of Freedom, NY; seven grandchildren, Tory Appleby, Nathanial Appleby, Thomas Lamb, Alex Lamb, Keith Lamb, Seth Appleby, and Leesa Appleby; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl Washburn of Hornell, NY; a half-brother, Neil Washburn of Olean, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ray was predeceased by a sister, Sherril Stubbs; and a son-in-law, Jerry Lamb.

Friends may call from 10am to 12 noon on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will follow at noon with Mr. Howard Wheeler of Ashville, NY, Ray’s cousin, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oswayo Valley Senior Center, PO Box 671, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to the Potter County Hospice, North Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Ray, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com