The Westerly Historical Society

 

Prominent Westerly Personalities

 

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                        Mildred Bray, Philanthropist*

 

Miss Mildred Bray, born in Westerly, RI on July 3, 1909 died in October 2002 at the age of 93.  She was valedictorian at Elm Street as well as Westerly High School graduating with the Class of 1926.   A 1930 alumna of Wheaton College, she pursued advanced studies at Columbia University.

 

Returning to Westerly, she began a forty-four career as a trust officer at The Washington Trust Bank and in 1974, she became head of their Trust Department.  Mr. Joseph Kirby, a former colleague of Miss Bray, remembers,  “She was the first woman bank trust officer that we know of.  She was very fastidious and very community-minded in a very silent way.”

 

Miss Bray was a charter member of the Central Baptist Church of Westerly, served as their clerk and was a member of their manuscript committee.  Miss Bray wrote Central Baptist Church of Westerly, R.I. & Its Heritage.

 

In 1972 she was a founding docent for the Babcock-Smith House, a 1734 Westerly home that is included on the National Register of Historic Places.  Miss Bray also volunteered as their secretary.  Mrs. Gertrude Smith, docent chairperson, recalls, “She was kind of a private person, who enjoyed her bridge and her church.  She was very gracious and kind. …She was very community conscious and interested in history, especially local history”…

 

Additionally, she was a member of Wheaton’s alumni association, The Westerly Camera Club, The Westerly Historical Society, and the YMCA Garden Club.

 

Mrs. Emma Lloyd, a former Westerly resident and Bray’s closest friend, remarks “Mildred said years ago she was leaving her estate to charity...She was very, very frugal, very loyal and very gracious.”

 

True to her word, Miss Bray left her 3.3 million estate to The Westerly Public Library and Wilcox Park, The Westerly Hospital, The Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA, Wheaton College, and Central Baptist Church.  Because her gifts are unencumbered, the organizations may use them as their needs direct.

 

To show their appreciation to Miss Bray, the YMCA Garden Club will rename their terrace room in her honor and she will become a member of their Heritage Club.   The hospital will induct her into their Cornerstone Society and her name will become part of the endowment register at Central Baptist.

 

Like Stephen and Harriet Wilcox, Mildred Bray’s legacy will continue to provide for her town and its future generations.

 

*To read the entire article on Mildred Bray, written by Mrs. Gloria Russell, access The Westerly Sun Sunday October 19, 2003 at www.thewesterlysun.com/articles/2003