I was so very happy to learn of your website remembering Delray.  I, too, was raised in Delray and have nothing but the fondest memories of the place where I spent my childhood.  I was so-o-o-o very blessed to be a part of the wonderful community that was Delray.

 The people who lived in Delray were some of the best folks that ever called America their home.   All I remember were streets filled with wonderful people—many of them dear relatives and others, wonderful friends.  Although this area was very industrial, these streets had homes that were beautifully kept with well-manicured lawns and bushes.  They were hardworking, determined people who knew the meaning of the words responsibility and respect.  They had to struggle to achieve the American Dream but achieve it they did!!!!!!!  They came to a country they didn’t know and had to overcome language barriers and many hardships to succeed.    I admire all my ancestors who overcame all odds to settle in and make America their home.  It was so very, very fortunate that they ended up in the Southwest corner of Detroit known as Delray.    

Everybody knew everybody.  I lived on Home St. and if I misbehaved on Copeland, Peterson, Portland etc., my Mother and Dad would know about it before I got home.  So needless to say, I was very well behaved!!!  I had such wonderful parents and I was so fortunate to have my Grandparents and some of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins living so close to us in Delray.  Close families were an integral part of Delray and I will forever treasure all of my family memories.

Then, of course, was our wonderful parish, St. John Cantius.  Probably one of the most beautiful churches ever built.  My parents, Grandparents and many of my Aunts and Uncles were baptized, married and buried from St. John’s.  I was baptized, married my wonderful husband, David, and baptized my beautiful daughter, Rita, from this beautiful Church.  My beloved Mother and Dad gave me the bedrock for my Catholic faith.  I was fortunate to witness this same love of the Church by watching my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc., live their faith daily.   The dedicated priests of the parish and the wonderful Felician Sisters helped to instill in me a deeper knowledge of my Catholic faith.  I can still remember all the processions, 40 hr. Devotions, Gorszkie Zale, May crownings and blessing of the baskets, to mention just a few, of the religious services that were held at St. John’s.  All of these devotions helped foster a deep faith in the parishioners who attended these services.  And, who could forget St. John’s at Christmas and Easter!  You walked into the Church and literally had your breath taken away by the magnificent flowers and the way the Nativity and the trees were displayed.  We still carry St. John’s in our hearts, and even though it is now closed, it will be open to us in memory.