Vera Margaret Schaaf Bray

Vera Margaret Schaaf Bray, 82, of Elon, NC, passed away on October 14th, 2022, at Alamance Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. Vera was married to John Anthony Bray on June 13th, 1959. Born January 10 th , 1940, in Queens, New York, to the late Charles Schaaf and Louise Brinkmann Schaaf.

Vera was educated at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, NJ, and met her beloved husband, John, at Fordham University. She spent most of her life as a homemaker, having had 11 children. Her later years were spent sharing her love of books working for the East Northport Public Library as well as volunteering at the Williamsburg Public Library. Her love of literature paled in comparison to her love of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her gentle soul touched all those who were fortunate enough to have known her—she loomed large in the hearts of her family and will be dearly missed.

Vera is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Bray, children; John D., Kenneth, Laura, R. Paul, Lisa, Keith, Kyle, Lynette, Lenore, Brendan, 32 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her son; Joseph Michael Bray and parents; Charles and Louise Schaaf.

A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Graham, NC, on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 by Father Peter Tymko at 9am. The burial will take place in St. Charles Cemetery in New York on Saturday, October 29^th at 12PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Vera’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital  at https://www.stjude.org/.