Vera McGilbray's Obituary
VERA DEAN MCGILBRAY Vera passed peacefully on November 22, 2012, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in Turkeyford, Oklahoma on January 16, 1922. Her parents were Frank and Sophronia Dick. Vera was a member of the Seneca-Cayuga and Shawnee Indian tribes. She was very proud of her Native American heritage. Vera attended school in White Oak, Oklahoma and was a graduate of the Sequoyah Indian High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. During WWII, she attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma's School of Nursing. She had a long career as a registered nurse, working in various hospitals in Ottawa, Kansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Claremore Indian Hospital. Vera was passionate about being a registered nurse and cooking for her large family and many friends. Vera also enjoyed attending pow-wows and many Seneca-Cayuga and Shawnee tribal events. She also loved sports and was an avid Bingo player. She enjoyed traveling to see family and friends and one of her favorite destinations was Las Vegas. Vera was a huge Oklahoma Sooners football fan, a legacy she passed down to her children. Vera met her future husband, Joe McGilbray, while in high school. Joe and Vera married after Joe returned home from WWII. They were married for 58 years and together raised seven children. Vera is survived by her sons and daughters-in-laws, Stan and Phyllis McGilbray of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Matt and Sunday McGilbray of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and her daughters and sons-in-laws, Lt Col (Ret) Brad and Vonnie Cantrell of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Dr. Kingsley and Sue Lentz of Louisville, Colorado. She is also survived by her sister, Joy Philbeck of Tulsa, Oklahoma and brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Peggy Dick of Ft. Washington, Md. Vera is also survived by her grandchildren, Patrick and Amy Cantrell, Sammie and Shelley McGilbray, Kara Lentz, Heather Wilder, Macy and Melyssa Cardenas. She is survived by one great-grandchild, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a step-grandson, Tyler Bradley and a step-granddaughter, Adyson Bradley. Vera was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and three of her children, Mark McGilbray, Michele Cardenas and Mike McGilbray. We would like to gratefully thank everyone, especially, Jyl, Candice and Dr. Olson of Carter Hospice for their compassionate care of our mother. You are welcome to join the family for a reception immediately following the commitment in the Family Center at Floral Haven at 4:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Chapel on Friday, November 30, 2012, at 3:00 pm.
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