Rayna Howell

Wantage - Rayna Howell, age 87, of Wantage, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Morristown Medical Center while surrounded by her loving family. Born on the family farm, known as the Price Farm located on Price Road on June 23, 1937 to the late Marshall and Dorothy (Losey) Price, Rayna attended a one room schoolhouse in Frankford Township, graduating 8th grade in 1951. She then attended Newton High School, graduating in 1955. While in high school, Rayna was the Baton Majorette, member of the Glee Club, choir, played basketball and volleyball and was a member of the future nurses group. In 1955, she was crowned Miss Frankford Township Queen. Shortly after, she was accepted into the nursing program at Orange Memorial and received her three year Registered Nursing degree in September 1958. While she attended nursing school, Rayna served as Vice President of the Student Council. She also sang in the choir and was fortunate to have the experience of entertaining a crowd at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City. Most importantly, Rayna was able to begin her nursing experience at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, training in pediatrics and the premature nursery and then went to Graystone Hospital in Morristown for three months, training in psychiatric nursing. After receiving her Registered Nursing degree, Rayna started to work for the former Alexander Linn Hospital and remained there throughout their transitions when the hospital was Wallkill Valley Hospital , Northwest Covenant Medical Center and St. Clare’s Hospital. After forty years serving at the Sussex Hospital, Rayna retired in May 1997. Rayna Price met the love of her life, Ronald Howell on a blind date and it was love at first sight. They were engaged in 1957, later married on October 4, 1958 and built their first home in 1959. They celebrated their 61st wedding Anniversary with many family and friends in June 2019. They had four beautiful daughters; Debbie Howell of Wantage, Tammy Kuperus and her husband Thomas of Hampstead, NC, Cheryl Cecchini and her husband Michael of Wantage, and the late Donna Howell Little. Rayna had 14 grandchildren; Kristen Carruci, Lauren (Ernie) Conklin, Derek (Renata) Kuperus, Danielle (Joshia) Whitten, Meghan (Paul) Putera, Heather (Patrick) Freeland, Jenna (Kyle) Bruffy, Michael (Alissa) Cecchini Jr., Justin Kuperus, Erin (Matt)Washer, Jesse (Caitlin) Kuperus, Brianna (Dan) Caouette, Hope Crapo (Chase), and Mackenzie Montes (Gavin). She was also blessed with 28 great grandchildren with two forth coming. Rayna was so very proud to be blessed with a large family, and treasured each and every one of them. She is also survived by her brother, Raymond Price of Frankford Township; her sister, Lois Kinney of Branchville; her brother-in-law; Wayne Howell and his wife Judy of Wantage; her sister-in-law, Elaine Eberhardt and her husband Frank of North Carolina; her brother-in-law, Roy R. Rohel and his wife Cindy of Frankford; and her sister-in-law, Margie Borner and her husband Edward of Cape Coral, Florida; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, Rayna was predeceased by her devoted husband, Ronald in 2020; her cherished daughter, Donna (Howell) Little in 2012; and her brother, Robert M. Price in 2025. She was a former member of the Baleville Congregational Christian Church and was active in the Sussex Woman’s Club. Rayna was an active member of the Sussex United Methodist Church, a member of the Sussex United Methodist Woman’s Group, taught Sunday School and sang in their choir. Rayna was a simple and humble person who showed much compassion towards everyone. She was gentle and soft spoken and would always greet someone with an indelible smile. She was an extremely hard worker, an incredible wife, mother, and grandmother, and a social butterfly. In the past, Rayna enjoyed roller skating, ice skating, playing piano, reading, figuring out word puzzles, collecting recipes and canning vegetables. Funeral services will held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025 at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Interment at Clove Cemetery will immediately follow. Friends may pay their respects to the family from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorial donations may be made in Rayna’s memory to the Sussex United Methodist Church, 15 Bank Street, Sussex, NJ 07461. Online condolences may be offered to the family on www.pinkelfuneralhome.com

Rayna Howell

June 23, 1937 - April 19, 2025