I Miss My Mommy

My mother, Margaret Peggy Ray, passed away on May 15, 2023, due to complications from Covid. I can’t begin to describe the loss I feel. Growing up, I always called her, “Mother” rather than “Mom” but when I was young and when I was hurting, I called her, “Mommy”. Over the last few days, that’s what keeps coming to me, “I miss my mommy”.

My mother was an amazing woman. I’m not glossing over anything. I frequently said my mother never learned, “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” But she was never intentionally cruel. When I would comment on something she had said, she was genuinely surprised that it was taken in a hurtful way.

My mother was a giver. She gave herself, raising or helping to raise children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She gave financially, supporting the community and the church. She provided a home to the homeless or offered odd jobs to someone needing some money to get by.

My mother was a leader. She taught Child and Family Studies at Washington State University. She was the Director of Gladish Community Center in Pullman, Washington. She was a Licensed Local Pastor at Garfield United Methodist Church. And she served in the church holding roles on church council, United Methodist Women/United Women in Faith, Bible Study Leader and more.

My mother loved children. As a professor she started programs in early childhood development and as a pastor opened PS I Love You, a preschool housed at the Garfield UMC. She helped with the after-school program at Take The Next Step, a community organization. She loved her family and that family extended to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

I miss this woman who set the bar so high but I’m not alone. She was loved and admired by many. If you knew her, you know exactly what I mean. I’m proud to say she was my mother.