Obituary of Ray Elizabeth Herkner

Ray Elizabeth Herkner, 83, of Thousand Oaks passed away peacefully on August 4, 2016 at Los Robles Hospital from breathing complications, surrounded by loved ones,comforted by the sounds of her beloved Hawaiian music. Ray Elizabeth was born in Nashville, Tennessee, Sept. 8, 1932 to William Clinton Aden, a Methodist minister, and Elsie Mae Palmer Aden. Raised in Memphis, she graduated from Hutchinson’s School, a girls prep academy, and attended Vanderbilt College where she was President of Kappa Delta Sorority. Married in 1953, she embarked upon a 52 year love affair with her husband, Dick, a graduate of the Naval Academy. Naval assignments moved them coast to coast, lastly to Hawaii for 32 years. In 1993, they moved to Thousand Oaks to be nearer to their daughters and the love of their life, granddaughter Samantha. Ray Elizabeth’s key words were concern and action, which she expressed in church and community activities throughout her lifetime. She was President of Episcopal Church Women of Hawaii, Member of the Board of Directors for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii. As Chairman of the Hawaii Council of Churches Legislative Concerns Committee, she helped revamp church community thinking on the subject of abortion, testifying at state legislative hearings as a lay representative and as an active lobbyist. She said “Most decisions directly concerning human life are made in the political arena today. We must express our beliefs and support good candidates.” She served numerous organizations as a board of director including Armed Forces YMCA, United Way, and Girl Scouts. She served in various capacities for Kappa Delta Alumni Society, Assistance League, PTA and Hawaii Alumnae Panhellenic Association,which named her Woman of the Year. In Thousand Oaks, Ray Elizabeth served in leadership roles with St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Conejo Compassion Coalition, New Comers and Encore. Ray Elizabeth enjoyed playing tennis and golf with her husband. They loved to travel, exploring 29 countries around the globe together. Ray Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, retired U.S. Naval Capt. Richard T. “Dick” Herkner and her brother William C. Aden, Jr. Ray Elizabeth is survived by her daughters, Terry Herkner-Michelman and Pam Herkner-Chasse, granddaughter Samantha Chasse, son-in-law Robert Michelman, sister-in-law Trudy Aden, brother-in-law Richard Olson, and several nieces and nephews A Celebration of Life followed by a dinner reception takes place August 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, One Church Road, Thousand Oaks, California, 91362. Aloha attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Conejo Compassion Coalition www.conejocompassion.com A memorial website is located at www. simivalleymortuary.com