Mrs. Dry was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was a singer and model in her youth. She settled in the United States after her marriage in 1945 and taught modeling. She also sang in many community musical theater productions.

As the wife of a Navy officer, she traveled a great deal and lived in Turkey, Japan, Pennsylvania, New York and Florida before settling in Falls Church.

Her husband, retired Navy Captain Melvin Hultquist Dry, died in 1997.

Her oldest son, Lieutenant Melvin Spence Dry, was a Navy SEAL who was killed in action in 1972 while leading a rescue effort in North Vietnam to free U.S. prisoners of war. He was the last Navy SEAL killed in Vietnam. The nature of his mission remained classified by the Navy until this year. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star in a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy in February.

Survivors include two sons, James Richard Dry of Falls Church and Robert William Dry of Washington; a brother; and six grandchildren.

DRY, MELVIN SPENCE
LT   US NAVY
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 03/13/1946
DATE OF DEATH: 06/06/1972
BURIED AT: SECTION 10  SITE 11332
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY