1919
Dorothy
2011
Dorothy (Johnson) Rayla
October 9, 1919 — November 9, 2011
HOLDEN – Dorothy (Johnson) Rayla, 92, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. She was a resident of Holden for 58 years.
Dorothy leaves three sons, Mark W. Rayla (Sharon) of Dudley, Philip J. Rayla (Diane Louisa) of Still River and Robert S. Rayla (Karen) of Holden; a daughter, Beth C. Rayla of Holden; 11 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Her husband of 55 years, Warren M. Rayla, predeceased her in 2003. Dorothy was born in Worcester, daughter of Matilda and Walfred Johnson. She grew up in Auburn and graduated from Auburn High School. Dorothy spent several years as a homemaker raising her four children. During this time, Dorothy devoted many years to the Girl Scouts of America Organization. She held various accounting positions throughout her years of employment, including bookkeeper/office manager of the family electrical contracting business.
Aside from her family, nothing was more important to Dorothy than her Church. She was a devoted member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Worcester, serving on numerous committees and involving herself in countless church events and activities. She was a member of the Naomi Women’s Circle and will be missed dearly by her many church friends.
Dorothy could often be found baking Swedish cookies or sitting at her sewing machine, lovingly working on crafts for a church fair or for one of her children or grandchildren. She loved to travel and in their retirement years, she and her late husband Warren, enjoyed traveling cross-country in their Winnebago exploring new sights and making new friends. Her favorite spots included Ellisville, Humarock, the Baha Peninsula, Alaska and Pine Island, Florida, which is where she and Warren spent most winters in their later years.
Dorothy was always busy and forever thirsting for knowledge. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. She touched so many lives and will be most remembered for her love for her family, her Church, her faith in God and her remarkable character and simplistic values.
The family would like to thank Micah and Ben at Dodge Park Rest Home and their wonderful staff for their compassionate care of “Dotty” in the last few months of her life.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester. A private burial will be in All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester. There are no calling hours. Please omit flowers. Donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 64 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. www.milesfuneralhome.com
Dorothy leaves three sons, Mark W. Rayla (Sharon) of Dudley, Philip J. Rayla (Diane Louisa) of Still River and Robert S. Rayla (Karen) of Holden; a daughter, Beth C. Rayla of Holden; 11 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Her husband of 55 years, Warren M. Rayla, predeceased her in 2003. Dorothy was born in Worcester, daughter of Matilda and Walfred Johnson. She grew up in Auburn and graduated from Auburn High School. Dorothy spent several years as a homemaker raising her four children. During this time, Dorothy devoted many years to the Girl Scouts of America Organization. She held various accounting positions throughout her years of employment, including bookkeeper/office manager of the family electrical contracting business.
Aside from her family, nothing was more important to Dorothy than her Church. She was a devoted member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Worcester, serving on numerous committees and involving herself in countless church events and activities. She was a member of the Naomi Women’s Circle and will be missed dearly by her many church friends.
Dorothy could often be found baking Swedish cookies or sitting at her sewing machine, lovingly working on crafts for a church fair or for one of her children or grandchildren. She loved to travel and in their retirement years, she and her late husband Warren, enjoyed traveling cross-country in their Winnebago exploring new sights and making new friends. Her favorite spots included Ellisville, Humarock, the Baha Peninsula, Alaska and Pine Island, Florida, which is where she and Warren spent most winters in their later years.
Dorothy was always busy and forever thirsting for knowledge. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. She touched so many lives and will be most remembered for her love for her family, her Church, her faith in God and her remarkable character and simplistic values.
The family would like to thank Micah and Ben at Dodge Park Rest Home and their wonderful staff for their compassionate care of “Dotty” in the last few months of her life.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester. A private burial will be in All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester. There are no calling hours. Please omit flowers. Donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 64 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. www.milesfuneralhome.com
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