Received the Order of Australia a week before her death.
Born Kathleen Mary Corkrey at Rotherhithe, in the London docklands, on January 17, 1923, the daughter of Royal Navy Commander Reuben B. Corkrey and his wife Ethel (nee McGlashan).
Worked briefly as a producer/director and on-screen talent for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation from 1961 to 1964.
Was for three years appointed to the theatre board of the Australia Council.
In the early 80s, stood for preselection as a Liberal candidate for the Australian federal senate .
Following Kenya's independence in October 1963, Raye's husband Robert Ayre-Smith accepted an offer to join the CSIRO in Australia, and the family emigrated in 1964.