Margaret Mary Ray Sample, 59, passed away peacefully October 20, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born in Albany, NY, she was the daughter of the late Joseph E Ray Jr. and Margaret Ray.

Margaret graduated with high honors from The Milne School.  She was listed in the "Who's Who in America".  She then went on to earn two degrees at Junior College of Albany in two and a half years.  She worked for over 35 years for Albany County and retired this year due to health reasons.

She was very active in the Albany Democratic Party and considered herself a "Polly" Noonan Girl.  She was a committee person and a ward leader for many years.

She is survived by her loving partner, Peter Essex, who reminded her of her father, her stepson, Jessie Sample, her Aunt Gloria Rossi, her sister Effie Doyle, her brother Joseph E Ray III and his wife Diane, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Many wonderful friends, who were always by her side, especially in her final days, also survive her.

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Albany Medical Center and the Hospice Inn at St. Peters Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 27, at 11 a.m. in the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas, (the former St. Patrick's), 273 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY, 12204 or to the American Cancer Society. P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.