Shirley Vivian Gribskov Ray

Shirley Vivian Gribskov was born in Junction City, Oregon, on August 1, 1926, to parents Thorvald Gribskov and Jorgine (Jennie) Paulsen. Her family, including brothers Russell, Ejnar, and Leslie, moved to Central Oregon in 1927 to farm in the area of Pleasant Ridge and Deschutes Junction. Brother Neil was born in 1928. In the midst of the Depression her father died suddenly and within a few days her mother with 5 young children moved back to Junction City where they had work opportunities and extended family. Shirley went through school in Junction City, but at 10 years of age, she started spending summers in Bend with her aunt Maren Gribskov, founder of the Pine Tavern Restaurant. Shirleys first jobs at the restaurant included shelling peas and swatting flies. Shirley attended Willamette University and graduated from Oregon State University in home economics and dietetics. In 1951 she married George Dalton Ray in Bend and a year later daughter Myrna was born. Shirley continued to work at the Pine Tavern as assistant manager until Maren sold the business in 1967. George contracted polio in 1954 and was confined to a wheelchair until his death in 1988. Shirley and George Ray were a wonderful team - successful in business, generous to the community, excellent parents, devoted friends to many, and despite the wheelchair they traveled extensively. Shirley continued the pattern of generosity as a huge supporter of many local and national charities, including COCC Foundation, Cascade Culinary Institute, and OSU-Cascades. She received the COCC Presidents Award in 1997 and was the 2010 Meal of the Year Honoree. Shirley was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Chapter AI P.E.O. Sisterhood, Deschutes Pioneer Association, Deschutes Historical Society, and the Bend Picnic Group started by George in 1961. In 2009 she reigned as Deschutes Pioneer Queen. Shirley is survived by her loving companion Jim Fairchild, her brother Neil Gribskov (Marie) of Hillsboro, daughter Myrna Klupenger (Don), grandchildren Johanna Scott (Charlie), Jeff Klupenger (Amaya), and Jennifer Brazil, great grandchildren Ashley Brazil, Amber Brazil, Morgan Scott, and many adoring nieces and nephews. Shirley loved Central Oregon. She died, age 91, at her home in Bend overlooking the Deschutes River, surrounded by loved ones. The family gives special thanks to the dear caregivers of Partners in Care Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care. A memorial service will be held at the Riverhouse Convention Center, Bend, on January 27, 2018, at 1 pm. A reception to celebrate Shirleys life will follow, 2:30 pm, at the Cascade Culinary Institute, 2555 NW Campus Village Way. All are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to COCC Shirley Ray Endowed Scholarship, First Presbyterian Church Foundation, or Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades, 2300 NE Neff Road, Bend OR 97701, or a charity of your choice. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Shirley Vivian Gribskov Ray

August 1, 1926 - January 12, 2018