Bernice G. McCray October 12, 1921 - December 24, 2008 Bernice "Bea" McCray represents a life of devotion and service to her family, her friends, her profession and the Dearborn community. Mrs. McCray passed away at the Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, NH on December 24, 2008. She was 87. Bernice was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She lived with her parents, Louis and Anna Havlena and older brother Harold all now deceased. Bernice grew up in a neighborhood grounded in Czech culture through both the Sokol Hall and the Czechoslovak Society of America-Pingree fraternal organization. It was through these social networks that Bea met her husband Max McCray. Their marriage lasted 42 years, until his death in 1987. The couple built their home in Dearborn, Michigan, where they lovingly raised their two children, Laurie and Mark. As a child, Bernice attended Detroit Public Schools, including Noble Elementary and Tappan Intermediate. Her life-long and notable talent for drawing and fashion design developed while she was an art student at Cass Technical High School. When Bernice was 11 years old, she had polio and spent the year in the hospital, including time in an "iron lung". She told caregivers late in her life that President FDR had inspired her and given her hope to be all that she could be. Her chronic pain and physical limitations never got in the way of Bernice's spirit, smile, generosity, or ambition. Her motto was "get up and get going if you want to get things done!" Bernice was a role model for working women, breaking gender barriers, and demonstrating leadership and professional integrity in everything she did. She was the proud owner of McCray Realty Company for many, many years. Bea made numerous contributions to the real estate profession at the local, state, and national level at conferences and through professional development initiatives. Other contributions include service as Director of the Dearborn Board of Realtors and Chairperson of its Professional Standards, Legislative, and Membership Committees; seven years as Director of the Michigan Association of Realtors receiving recognition in 1993 as its Realtor of the Year; and as President of the Women's Council of Realtors receiving its Woman of the Year award in 1988. Bea's service to her profession is only exceeded by her service to her community. She served on the Boards of Henry Ford Hospital-Fairlane, the Dearborn Symphony, and for over ten years on the City of Dearborn Taxation Board of Review. Bea is one of only a few people to serve two terms as President of the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce. As President and member of the Dearborn Chamber, Bea was instrumental in the success of its annual fundraisers including the Dearborn Food Festival, the Chamber Golf Outing, Dearborn Homecoming, and the Chamber's Business Expo. As a community volunteer, Bea donated her time and talents to the Salvation Army, Henry Ford Estate-Fairlane, the Dearborn Historical Museum and CSA-Pingree. It is no surprise to anyone that knew Bea that she was awarded Dearborn Rotary's 2001 "Rotarian of the Year" award. She fully embodied its fundamental principle of "Service Above Self". Through her Rotary activities and in conjunction with the Dearborn Public Schools, Bea initiated an early education "Sing No to Drugs" Program for third graders. Additionally, Bea was pleased to use her designer talents for Rotary to renovate and furnish a room at the St. Barbara's Senior Center. She was a committed Rotary volunteer and fundraiser, with her most outstanding contribution to the Dearborn community and Dearborn Rotary being the crucial role she played in championing the "Environmental Interpretative Center" at the University of Michigan-Dearborn by soliciting over $46, 000 in contributions to the Center from Dearborn Rotarians. In those rare moments for herself, Bea loved to read biographies, knit, or play the piano. She appreciated a well-crafted hand-knit sweater as much as she loved classical music, show tunes, and polkas. In addition to her daughter Laurie George Nowak and son Mark Kathy, survivors include her three beloved grandsons, Michael McCray Nowak, and Montana and Hunter. Final resting place is Glen Eden Cemetary in Livonia, Michigan. Written by Laurie A. McCray in loving memory of her mother. December 29, 2008