Diane M. Ray

ALBANY- Diane Marie Ray 79, died November 15, 2024 in Albany, NY at home surrounded by her family after a lengthy health battle.

Diane was born in Albany, on September 9, 1945 to Anthony and Mary (Cross) Lassi.  She shared an amazing childhood with her two loving sisters, Josephine Hallenbeck who shared her love of music and movies, and Carol Sheldon who shared her love of fashion and sports. She loved her extended family in California including her godparents Marie and Pat Russo, and their daughters, Phyllis and Ann.  She also held a special place in her heart for her cousins, Richard, Beverly and Lorraine DelBalso.

Diane attended school in Albany, including Albany High School where she had immense school spirit and loved supporting sports.  She was a member of the bowling team and in her Senior year won a typing contest for typing 100 words a minute. Her speed at typing was something she would continue to excel in over her life.  Diane later became a member of the reunion committee.

At 17 years old, Diane took a job doing shorthand and typing.  She later told her mother she could not believe she was getting paid to do this work as she loved it so much.  She would later transfer to Teachers Retirement where she would meet two lifelong friends, Mary Keefe and Kathy McCardle.

Diane took time off to raise her kids and then later went to work for the NYS Assembly.  She then went to work for Mayor Whalen in Albany during Albany’s Tricentennial.  She would move on to other jobs over the years including the Law Firm of Shea and Gould, CSEA, The Aids Institute, the New York State Department of Health and finally the VA Hospital.  She also worked over the years part time at Macys, her favorite store, and was able to march in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade three times.

Diane held many official titles over the years, but she always stated that she was a secretary.  She even wrote an op-ed piece for the Times Union petitioning Administrative Assistant Day to be called Secretary’s Day.  She loved to learn and attend anything that would help her further her career, including Toast Masters.

Diane met her loving husband Joe in the 1960s.  They shared over 56 years of marriage together and had a love story for the ages.  Joe and Diane were always the anchors of the family.  One of the most important events in the family was Thanksgiving dinner.  Diane would hold it on Wednesday night so all her family and friends could attend.  Sometimes there would be over 40 people at the dinner.  She would take a week off from work, prepping and cooking for the day. Highlights of the meal included the seven pies she would make from scratch and the most amazing Italian wedding soup.

Diane loved Lake George and spent over 40 summers at the lake.  She loved riding her boat and sitting by the lake with a book.  She would spend those amazing summers with her children Allyson Burns and her son-in-law Bradford Burns and son Jason Ray.  Later her grandson Aiden Burns and granddaughter Gabrielle Ray were lucky enough to build amazing memories at the lake as well as lots of friends and family.

Diane had a love for all animals and spent years rescuing stray cats and finding them homes.  She loved to travel to Cape Cod and Thatcher Park.  She loved to ski and ice skate and was a member of the OC Ski Club.

Besides her immediate family and sister Carol, Diane is survived by her sister-in-law Effie Doyle, brother-in-law Peter Essex, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and amazing friends who she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Kara Kozakiewicz, Lynn Hallenbeck, Lahoma and Letitia Rowan and the nurses of Community Hospice for all the love and compassion they showed for Diane while taking care of her over these last years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday November 20, 2024 at 9:30 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church 391 Delaware Ave. Albany. Relatives and friends are invited  and may also visit with Diane’s family on Tuesday November 19, 2024 from 4-7 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home 490 Delaware Ave. Albany.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Diane’s name to Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, PO Box 11190 Albany, NY 12211 or VA Albany Healthcare System 113 Holland Avenue Albany, NY 12208-3410.