Mrs. Prudence Wilson Pray, 80, passed away on February 17, 2024 surrounded by her family. She passed peacefully with the knowledge that she was greatly loved and adored by her loved ones, and that her loved ones knew how deeply she loved and cared for them as well.
Prudence, best known by friends and family as Prudy, was born February 26, 1943 in Oneida, New York to her late and loving parents, Carl and Louella Wilson. After graduating from VVS High School (Vernon, NY) in 1961, Prudy was briefly employed at General Electric in Syracuse, NY. In 1963 she eloped with her husband of sixty years, Raymond S. Pray to Fort Stewart, Georgia where they were married. They spent two years in Georgia while Raymond was in the Army before settling in Alexander, NY. For the better part of her life, Prudy lived in Batavia, NY. After raising her children, Prudy assisted Raymond in the accounting department of the Batavia Animal Hospital.
Surviving along with her husband are her children, Scott (Peggy) Pray of Corfu, Michelle "Shelly" (Jon) Cacchione of Erie, Pennsylvania, David (Kimberly) Pray of Portland, Oregon and Tammy (Brendan) Wyatt of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Seth, Jasmine and Anneka Pray, Sam and Madeline Cacchione, Sonora and Ezekiel Pray and Sora Wyatt, her brothers, Charles "Red" (Barb) Wilson of Sherrill and Richard "Dick" (Rosemary) Wilson of Tully along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She is predeceased by her sister, Beverly (Charlie) Adams.
It was the mission of her life to take care of the people she loved. Prudy had a natural knack for homemaking, raising her four children and eight grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and a fantastic baker, always sharing her food with the people she loved. She had a love for all animals, raising lots of dogs and cats over the years. She was a follower of the Lord and spent her life dedicated to Him. Prudy loved the sport of bowling, having bowled in a women’s league for many years. She enjoyed traveling all over the United States with her husband in their RV. They also spent several winters in their retirement community in Arcadia, Florida with frequent nights out to dinner, watching sunsets on the beach, activities at the RV park and socializing with friends in their community.
Prudy was admired and deeply loved by anyone who knew her. Many describe her as nurturing, kind hearted, generous, and to have a great sense of humor. Though she had many wonderful qualities about her, Prudy will always be known as a great and proud mother and grandmother who loved her children unconditionally. Those were the roles she truly embraced the most. As we mourn the loss of Prudy, know that she would want everyone to celebrate her and carry out her legacy by spreading love, being kind, and always saving room for dessert.
Friends may call on Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia. Graveside services will be held on Friday at 10 am at Western New York National Cemetery, 1254 Indian Falls Road, Corfu, New York 14036. Please assemble at the cemetery by 9:45 am.
Memorial services will follow graveside services at 12 pm on Friday at The Church in Alexander, 3389 Church Street, Alexander, New York 14005. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Prudy's name to Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, New York 14021 or to The Church in Alexander, 3389 Church Street, Alexander, New York 14005.
To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
