Adela Ray Obituary

Funeral Service Details
Rosary
November 5, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Hilgenfeld Mortuary Chapel
Anaheim, California
Funeral Mass
November 7, 2024
10:00 a.m.
St. Boniface Catholic Church
Anaheim, California
Interment
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
Orange, California
Obituary
Adela Lorraine Ray, lovingly known as Mimi, died peacefully on Friday morning at her home in Anaheim. She was 96 years old. Mimi was born Adele Priscilla Reyes on September 26, 1928, in Visalia, California to Ida Granados and Nicolas Reyes. Ida later married Ben "Tata" Castillo who was a loving stepfather to Mimi. She became an older sister when their son, Larry, was born in 1939. As a young child, Mimi and her family moved to Santa Ana where she attended school, graduating from Santa Ana High School in 1948. After high school, Mimi's Uncle Johnny introduced Mimi to Jose, who would come to be known as Papa, Barela; Jose and Uncle Johnny served together as paratroopers in World War II. Although Uncle Johnny had intended for Jose to meet one of Mimi's aunts as a possible romantic interest, once Papa saw Mimi he was smitten. Adela married Jose on April 29, 1950. Their first child, a daughter, Linda Jo, was born on October 5, 1951. A second daughter, Anita Lorraine, was born on February 9, 1954, followed by a son, Joseph Anthony, born October 1, 1957. Their last child, a daughter, Barbara Jean was born on February 24, 1959. Mimi and Papa spent many happy years together in Anaheim raising their four children before he passed away in 1998. Mimi worked for many years in Newport Beach as a housekeeper. In this role, she created strong connections with the families she worked with. She remained close with the descendants of these families throughout her life. On January 6, 2006, Mimi married the widower of one of the families she had worked with for many years, Donald Jacob Ray. Sadly, Don passed away in 2014. A devout Catholic, Adela will be missed deeply by all those who knew her. In addition to Jose and Don, Adela is preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Ben Castillo; brother Larry Castillo; grandson Joey Barela; and her daughter Barbara Hall. She is survived by her three children, daughter Linda (Jim) Longwith of Kelseyville, California; daughter Anita Barela of Oceanside; son Joseph (Becky) Barela of Anaheim; 4 granddaughters, Michelle Borghesani; Danielle (Aaron) Bryson; Ashley Pospisl; Lauren (Jason) Hall; 6 grandsons, Ryan (Tamara) Varela; Ramon Varela; Eric Varela; Matthew Varela; Robert Hall; Kevin Hall; 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
A rosary service will be held on Tuesday, November 5 at 6:00 PM at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, 120 Broadway, Anaheim. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 10:00 AM at Saint Boniface Church, 120 N. Janss Street, Anaheim. This will be followed by a graveside service at 1:00 PM at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery at 7845 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Elks National Foundation https://www.elks.org/ENF/OnlineGiving.cfm designated to Lodge #1475 in Orange.