Sara Ann Wray

Sara Ann Wray, 51, of Silvis, Illinois, formerly of Grinnell, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her sister’s home Saturday, April 11, 2020 under the care of Heartland Hospice. A celebration of life will be planned for the fall of 2020.

Sara was born on January 29, 1969 in Des Moines, Iowa to Keith and Charlotte Bailey. Her family resided in Des Moines until they moved to Grinnell in 1977. Sara graduated from Grinnell High School in 1987.

On March 18, 1989 Sara was united in marriage to Christopher Wray of Grinnell. To this marriage two children were born: one daughter, Molly Ann, on December 16, 1991 and one son, Matthew Christopher, on December 20, 1996. Sara was a compassionate, loving mother whose children (and later, grandchildren) were the pride and joy of her life. She loved all of her family dearly and always looked forward to being together at family gatherings.

Sara’s passion for working in the healthcare field started at a young age. At age 14, she began working as a dietary aide for St. Francis Manor nursing home in Grinnell. As soon as she was able, she took the required courses and became a certified nurse aide there. In 1995 she was hired at Grinnell Regional Medical Center and earned her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree from Marshalltown Community College in August of 1996. In early 2000, Sara became a hospice nurse for Grinnell Regional Hospice. It was there that she discovered her life’s mission. She truly loved caring for her patients and bonding with their families. She received many compliments on the care she provided and touched many lives in her 15 years with hospice.

Sara spent several years as a primary member of the Grinnell High School Athletic Booster Club. She was in charge of ordering all of the food and spent countless hours scheduling volunteers to work in the concession stands for all sporting events as well as other school activities. She was an avid supporter of Grinnell High School’s sports teams. You could always find her in the bleachers watching her kids or in the concession stand when her kids weren’t playing.

Sara was most recently employed as a paraeducator for the PHOENIX program at the Black Hawk Area Special Education District in the Illinois Quad Cities. She continued to make a positive impact on lives, even having one student who stated he never would have graduated if it were not for her.

Sara is survived by her mother Charlotte Bailey of Davenport, Iowa, daughter Molly (Keagan) Richmond of Grinnell, Iowa, son Matthew Wray of Grinnell, Iowa, sister Kristin (Keith) Morrison of Davenport, Iowa, brother Nicholas Bailey of Missoula, Montana, granddaughter Emerson Stark of Grinnell, Iowa, grandson Ian Richmond of Grinnell, Iowa, and nieces and nephews along with their families, Jessica (Kameron) Lovera-Matter, Bailey (Bradley) Hupp, Grace Morrison, Jackson Bailey and Cooper Bailey, Cruz Hall, Avery Hall, Luca Hall, Alexander Hupp, and Lincoln Hupp, as well as many other family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Keith Bailey, in 2019.

Memorials in honor of Sara can be made to Grinnell Regional Hospice or the Grinnell High School Athletic Booster Club.

Condolences may be shared at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com