Mary Jean Gray Obituary (1936 - 2025)

It is with great sadness the family announces that Mary Jean Gray passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the young age of 89. Her soul was released from her worn out shell of a physical body and she is now dancing in the heavens. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her many friends, neighbors and family. Mary Jean was born on January 18, 1936 in Elmira, NY. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and held various jobs as a telephone switchboard operator, a retail salesperson (shoes, clothes, fabrics), and a real estate agent. Everyone agrees that her cooking was beyond measure. The family often opted for home cooked meals over dining out and her children much preferred brown bag lunches to school cafeteria food. All of her children have become equally competent cooks thanks to her loving guidance and instruction. Her devout feistiness and stubbornness had served her well throughout her life. Even in her waning months she was a model of strong will and determination right up until the end of her journey here on earth. Mary Jean is survived by her husband of 68 years, Roderick Gray; daughters Victoria Gray and Lisa (Joseph) Navone, both of Bigfork, MT and son Jonathan (Bridget) Gray of Jacksonville FL; brother Arthur Allen (Beverly) Morrell, brother-in-law Jeffrey (Maryann) Gray all of Horseheads; Grandchildren Dylan Evertts (MT), Dallas Evertts (TX), Jessica Evertts (TX), Kyle Frost (NC), Emma Navone (MT), Matthew Gray (CA), Zane (Sara) Gray (ME) and Caity (Noah) Sebert (FL); Great grandchildren Jackson and Natalie Gray (ME); and many other dear relatives. Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund (Toots) and Aletha (Al) Morrell; her son, Christopher Gray, her grandson, Connor O'Neil Gray, and her beloved pets, Buddy, Buddy, Tootsie, Jack, Babe, Max, Penny, Paddy and Pokey. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Corbalan and to the exceptional and compassionate staff at the St. Joseph skilled nursing facility who provided not only care and comfort but a sense of peace and tranquility during her final days. A private family ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held, in lieu of a service, at a later date. Everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate Mary Jean’s life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite cocktail in her memory would make her smile widely. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Jean’s name may be made to a local animal shelter or to a charity of one's choice. She would be honored by any unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness to a less fortunate person. Mary Jean chose to be cremated in order to finally have the smoking hot body she always desired. Her ashes will be released at a later date in Montana, also known as Big Sky Country. 💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏