Govatsos, Salli Jane Ray, 70, of Canton and South Chatham, MA, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2016 surrounded by her family after a long, heroic battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA). She is the beloved wife of Gerald “Jerry” Govatsos and was married to Jerry for almost 49 years. She will be greatly missed by her two daughters Stephanie Govatsos Candon and husband Chris residing in Apple Valley, MN and Alexandra Govatsos of Walpole, MA. Salli is the daughter of Penny Ray of Sarasota FL. Also survived by her brother Richard Ray, of FLA She was preceded in death by her father Herbert L Ray of South Chatham, MA and in-laws James and Ellen Govatsos of Canton, MA. Known as Nannie to her four grandchildren, Luke and Max Candon, of Apple Valley, MN and Sophie and Claire Caulton of E. Walpole, MA. Salli is also survived by sister-in-law, Ellen Govatsos Carlton and husband Larry of Harwich, MA, brother-in-law, James M Govatsos of Walpole, MA, and sister-in-law, Victoria Govatsos Ainscough and husband Brian of Canton, MA. Salli is also survived and loved by many dear friends, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Salli was raised in Ashland, MA and a graduate of Ashland HS ‘64. Always an independent soul, Salli accepted an academic scholarship to a small liberal arts college, Parsons in Iowa. Upon leaving Parsons Salli joined Eastern Airlines as a Flight Attendant, a job she loved, until she became pregnant with her first child. Salli and her husband Jerry met on Cape Cod in 1967 and married shortly thereafter. Because of her job she and Jerry traveled the world for the next two years. . After the births of her two children Salli devoted all of her time to her favorite role as a mother and housewife. She also worked for many years with her husband while he established his business. Salli’s lifelong desire to own and ride horses became a reality in 1990. Besides four-wheeling with her family to Nauset Beach, the horse barn is where she wanted to be. In 1995 Salli had a serious accident while riding and during the recovery process, started showing symptoms of MSA. In 2004, she got the definitive diagnosis and bravely took on the challenge of facing and coping with this debilitating disease. Beautiful, loyal, disciplined, sweet, caring and devoted wife, mother and friend is what family and friends will most remember of Salli. Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton Sunday July 10th from 4-8 pm. Funeral service and burial private. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the MindLink Foundation, http://www.mindlinkfoundation.org in honor of Salli Govatsos.