Lillian Whitley Gray
October 31, 1912 - January 25, 2008
Obituary
LILLIAN WHITLEY GRAY
October 31, 1912 – January 25, 2008
Olympia – Lillian W. Gray age 95 passed away on January 25, 2008 at Puget Sound Healthcare Center in Olympia. She was born to Alice Adele Birmingham and Walter D. Whitley in Kirkland, Washington. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from Broadway High School on June 16, 1932. She married her high school sweetheart Charles ‘Vic’ Gray on June 9, 1935 in Tacoma, Washington. Lillian lived most of her early years in the Rainer Valley area of Seattle till June, 1969 when Vic passed away. She then spent the remainder of her life in the Olympia/Tumwater area.
Lillian’s favorite past time was spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies were gardening, crafts and reading. She loved her books and they were her passion, but her basic interest was in genealogy. She was a member of the Olympia Genealogical Society which took her to all parts of the country in the pursuit of her family roots.
Lillian was extremely active in volunteer work and included PTA, Cub and Boy Scouts; tutoring young elementary school children and was a pen pal to many young girls. She supported various charities i.e. cancer research; Indian Schools; Police and Fire Departments and M.S.
She is survived by her three boys, Ted Gray of Anchor Point, Alaska; Robert Gray of Port Angeles, Washington and William Gray of Centralia, Washington. She is also survived by six grand children, Gaylene Gray; Terry Davis; Colleen Day; Todd Gray; Kelly A. Morago and Bridget Gundo and eight great grand children.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she will be forever missed,
but not forgotten.
A graveside committal service will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2008, 2:00 pm at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, Washington, 98188.
We send our thoughts and prayers to Lillian’s family. May the memories that you share bring comfort and peace to you all.
Sincerely,
Your Olympia Genealogical Society Friends.
Dear Lillian,
It was so nice having you for a neighbor all these years. I think of you everyday as I drive by your house. Enjoyed our evenings of crafting & numerous days of shopping for just the right imbellishments. We had alot of fun times & I will miss you. Thank you for being a good friend.
Love, Jo Ann
Grandma, thank you for giving me my love of reading, crafts, travel, hot tea, red vines, and maple bars. Even though you didn’t always agree with my decisions, I know you always loved me and wanted me to be happy.
Thanks for everything you did for me. Give Grandpa a hug and a kiss for me. I will miss you always.
I will always remember Lillian fondly. She was such a unique individual. She lived a long life and loved her children. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lillian, words can not explain how much I will miss you, but I know we will meet again. There is another shiny star, up in the sky, that will twinkle forever more.
Thank you for going on all our adventures and the crafts that we shared together. We sure did have a lot of laughs and fun.
Miss you and love you, Nance & Tom.
You were not only a loving mother-in-law but a good friend. I will hold the memories of time spent with you close in my heart. I love and miss you!
Mom, I love you and miss you. I will think about you every day for the rest of my life!