Jessie Hey (McCray), mother of six, former Winslow city councilwoman, and indefatigable community activist, died peacefully on Oct. 4, 2014 after a courageous battle with old age. She was 85.
Jessie was born May 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Hector and Frances McCray. She graduated from North Quincy High School in 1947.
Jessie married her childhood sweetheart, William A. Hey (Bill), of Quincy, Mass., in 1952 after his graduation from MIT. Jessie was proud to be known for most of her married life as Mrs. William Hey.
Upon receiving a job offer from Boeing, Bill and Jessie relocated to the Northwest. They fell in love with the Puget Sound area and settled in the Hawley community on Bainbridge Island in 1958 where they raised their family.
On the shores of Eagle Harbor they indulged their love of sailing and did their part to establish the community we love today.
Throughout her life, Jessie had a passionate drive to keep the essence of Bainbridge Island alive. From protecting our shorelines, preserving and supporting local businesses, and keeping the natural spaces of the Island intact, she truly cared about this community.
Jessie was a founding member of BICC (Bainbridge Island Concerned Citizens) with lifelong friend Rachel Smith, promoting and protecting access to marine waters for all islanders.
Jessie’s lifelong commitment to Bainbridge Island was recognized as recently as July 2014, when she was honored by Mayor Anne Blair for the inspiration she provided to succeeding generations of activists.
Jessie and Bill were long standing members of Port Madison Yacht Club, spending many enjoyable hours plying the waters off Bainbridge Island.
Jessie was an active member of Eagle Harbor Congregational Church for more than 50 years, volunteering countless hours at church and community events. She was an enthusiastic folk dancer performing with the Son’s of Norway Sommendra Dancers.
In her final days, Jessie was surrounded by family and was able to enjoy the views of ferry boats and Mount Rainier, which gave her great solace.
She is survived by her six children; son William A. Hey Jr. (Bud) and his son Alex Hey, daughter Jean Hey (Alan Kleppe) and their children Ryan Kleppe, Christopher Durfee, Tessa Kleppe, Michael Durfee and Emelie Durfee, son Ken Hey (Jennifer) and their children Madeline Emerson and Mark Hey, son James Hey (Michele) and their children, Joseph Hey and Rachel Hey, daughter Bobbi Leahy and her daughter Shannon Leahy, daughter Jackie Hey Williams (Clarence) and their children Jordan Williams, Lauren Williams and Anna Williams.
She is also survived by her sister Geraldine Barrett of Tennessee and her brother George Frederick McCray of Quincy, Mass. and was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill in 1977 and her son-in-law, Niall Leahy in 1997.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to a few of Jessie’s favorite local not-for-profits such as Friends of the Farm (www.friendsofthefarm.org); or the Bainbridge Public Library (www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org).
