Obituary of June Ann Dray

June Ann (McSweeney) Dray, 85, of Kingston, and formerly of Brockton, and the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 22, 2024.

Long before there were home & lifestyle experts like Martha Stewart, there was June A. Dray. A master homemaker and family event planner with an intuitive and artistic knack for gardening, baking, sewing, home décor, and holiday decorating. Over the years, June singlehandedly, planned, prepared, and flawlessly put forth countless Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters, and family events. She had the rare ability to make an everyday occurrence seem like a special occasion.

June’s innate ability to make others feel valued, loved, and listened to drew people to her. When you sat for a conversation with June, time slowed, and she made you feel like you were the only thing that mattered. With her quiet inner strength and an abundance of empathy for others, it is no wonder she was an endearing mother figure and role model for so many.

Born on June 17, 1939, June grew up in Boston and graduated from Jamaica Plain High School. On September 24, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Bob Dray. As newlyweds, they lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston and Enfield CT. In 1966, June & Bob moved to Brockton, MA where they lived for 18 years and raised their family. June was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church (Stoughton), and volunteered at the Hancock Elementary School library and was a member of the PTA.

In 1984, June and Bob moved to Kingston, MA where she enjoyed 40 years living in her beautiful artisan post & beam home atop scenic Blueberry Hill. During that time, she joined her husband at Colgate Palmolive in Canton, MA where she worked for 10 years.

In retirement, June enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family. She closely followed the special interests, academic, athletic, and professional accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. June spent summers with her husband at their home in Old Orchard Beach, ME. There, she could often be found walking hand-in-hand with her grandchildren and great-children searching for “treasures” on the white sand beach of Ocean Park.  

Devoted wife of the late Robert J. Dray. Loving mother to Kevin M. Dray, Kathleen A. Dray-Lyons (Richard Lyons), Robert F. Dray (Angela), Maureen Donohue (Joseph), and Patricia Karrat (Thomas). Daughter of the late Michael and Ann McSweeney (Fahey). Sister to the late John McSweeney (Mary Jane). Cherished grandmother / “Nanas” to Dina Dray, Richard (Rich) Lyons (Sophia), Elizabeth Lyons, Bobby Dray, Anna Donohue, Michael Karrat, Matthew Karrat, Katherine Donohue, Meaghan Karrat, Amanda Donohue, Emma Karrat, and great-grandmother to Grace Dray, and Kaikua Dray Cleveland. Aunt to John, Joseph, Karen, and Cheryl (McSweeney). Cousin to all the Capobianco-Dray families and extended families. Beloved friend to Janet & Tucker Cook and “Auntie” to Anne Marie, Susan, and Elizabeth Cook.

June will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

Donations can be made, in lieu of flowers, in June Dray’s name to the Lupus Foundation of America. https://www.lupus.org/

Funeral services will be private.