Carol Lynne Bray

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 29, 2025, at HealthSource Saginaw. She was 88 years old. Carol Lynne Garlick was born on September 11, 1937, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Ralph and Helen (Robinson) Garlick. She was a proud 1955 graduate of the Saginaw High School. While hanging out with friends, she met the love of her life, Gerald Dennis Bray, at the State Drive In Restaurant. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on August 22, 1959, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Saginaw; he survives her. Carol then pursed a career in nursing with the first class to accept married students at St. Mary’s School of Nursing, graduating with honors in 1969. She held various nursing roles at St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw General Hospital, as a home health care nurse, Ask a Nurse telehealth, and at Saginaw Steering Gear in their medical department. She was able to take her passion for nursing and teach future CNA’s at the Saginaw Career Opportunity Center (COC). The role of her lifetime, one she treasured and cherished above all others, was to be a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was the heart and soul of her being, especially her beloved grandchildren. Carol is a longtime and faithful member of Holy Spirt Catholic Church where she selflessly volunteered with the Women’s Altar Society. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling in their motorhome across almost every state, eventually settling in Arizona in the winter months for 25 years. As a young lady, Carol became interested in trains, especially cabooses, through her father. She and Jerry purchased a retired caboose through C&O Railroad, bringing it to the family home. She also loved to play cards, Bingo, and spend time with her grandchildren. Carol will forever be remembered for her kindness, for selflessly putting others before herself, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Gerald “Jerry” Bray; a son, Daniel Bray; a daughter, Deborah Buckstiegel (Todd Waite); two grandsons: Alexander Buckstiegel and his fiancée, Hannah Wyne; Nicholas Buckstiegel; a sister, Susie Garlick; a brother, Richard (Patricia) Garlick; a brother-in-law, James Lagalo; a sister-in-law, Judy McCaffrey. Also surviving are many treasured nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends too numerous to mention, but held closely to her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Helen Garlick; a sister, Bonnie Lagalo; and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Russell.

A funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Fr. Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to James Township Fire Department or Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.casefuneralhome.com.