Mission Delores

RAYNE SERVICE HELD ON ANGEL ISLAND Mass Follows at Historic Mission

By R.J. Williams Chronicle Staff Writer Angel Island - Family and friends of Dr. Derek Rayne gathered Sunday afternoon at a private memorial service held on the site of the late philanthropist's former home. Dr. Rayne died one month ago to the day, when an explosion tore through the headquarters of the Luna Foundation, of which he was chairman. Although no guest list was provided to the press, it has been learned that amongst those in attendance were local and state officials, the Netherlands Consul-General, who represented H.M. Queen Beatrix, and Sir Edmund, Lord Tremayne of Tremayne, representing H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Mass Held at Mission Dolores Later in the evening a private mass was held at the 209 year old church, with which the Rayne family has been closely affiliated for over a century and a half. The mass was conducted by family friend Fr. Philip Callaghan of the Boston archdiocese, with the homily delivered by Archbishop Juan Seguin. Special permission was given by the city for the late-night tolling of the mission and basilica bells to mark the moment of the explosion. Since Dr. Rayne's death has been ruled a suicide, it had been rumored that Catholic rites would be prohibited by Church authorities. However, in a statement issued on Saturday, an archdiocese spokesman said that such might have been the case in the past, but Church policy now favors presumption of non compos mentis in the case of suicide, and so permits full Roman Catholic rites. "It is better to err in giving the benefit of the doubt to the deceased, and so permit him all the benefices of the Church, than to err on the side of rigid interpretation and unjustly deny sacred rites to a deserving person." Joint Report to be Issued The FBI and local authorities

have indicated that they will issue a joint report on the tragedy in several months time. A spokesperson stated that, although it has been ruled a suicide, the case is very complex with enormous amounts of forensic evidence awaiting analysis and numerous questions still to be resolved concerning Dr. Rayne's mental state and subsequent actions, as well as his apparent fascination with the paranormal and the occult. Undisclosed sources report that there is renewed interest in an accidentally self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, which Dr. Rayne suffered in 1997, and in the murders, three months ago, of Dr. J. Goddard, Rayne's psychiatrist, found dead in his office, and of journalist Megan Torrance, killed when the car, in which she was a passenger, exploded. Miss Torrance and Dr. Rayne had been romantically linked for several months prior. In the meantime, a statement issued by the law firm of Hewitt, Hewitt, Connolly, and Brown has addressed the rumors running rampant about the solvency of the Luna Foundation. According to Mr. Hewitt, Sr., whose firm has long been associated with the Rayne family and its financial and legal interests, the foundation had in the past months suffered only minor setbacks due to the volatility of the market, but those had been more than offset by other investments. He assured all non-profit organizations which depend upon the Luna Foundation for funding that they need not be concerned. There will be no interruption in charitable contributions and only a brief interlude in leadership as the foundation's board of directors moves to reorganize and solidify its structure. He also stated that a trust fund established after the 1906 quake would more than pay for the rebuilding of the foundation's headquarters, and that the bulk of the Rayne art and antiquities collections, including the most valuable artifacts, were housed in the Winston Rayne Hall of Antiquities in San Francisco proper.

Rumors are circulating that Hewitt himself will temporarily assume charge of the Luna Foundation. Other names being bandied for potential leadership rolls are: Dr. Rayne's mother, Mrs. Barbara Rayne of Amsterdam, who despite her age has remained active within the foundation; his cousin, Mr. Willem van der Linden, an economic advisor for the World Court at the Hague; Mrs. Patricia Sloan of London, who has been involved with the foundation's charitable endeavors in Britain for many years; Dr. Rayne's personal assistant, Alexandra Moreau; Dr. Rachel Corrigan, a member of the board of directors; and Mr. Nicholas Boyle, the chief of Luna Foundation security. End of an Era Dr. Rayne, who leaves no direct heirs, is survived by his mother, Mrs. Barbara Rayne and his sister, Sr. Ingrid Rayne of the Convent of the Blessed Sacrament near Sonoma, Calif. It is particularly sad to note that with his passing comes the end of a relationship between the Rayne family and the City of San Francisco that extends back for all but 50 years of this city's 225 year history. It is an association that will be much missed. * * * In a personal observation: I have been a reporter in this city for my entire career. I recall the days when Derek Rayne first returned from Europe to assume full control of the Luna Foundation. He was a charming young man who breathed life into staid San Francisco social circles. However, even then there was more to young Dr. Rayne than a pretty face, loads of cash, and a private island. He was a brilliant scholar, who held two PhDs, and a financier of the highest caliber. He never failed to support a friend or a worthy cause, whether popular, unpopular, or eccentric. It is to be hoped that these will be the memories that will survive and flourish, and that yesterday's observances will bring closure to the tragic events of the past few weeks.