Lucy Gray

May 30, 2018

(1922 – 2018)

Lucy Gray (née Cauchi) was born in Manchester, England in 1922 the first of three children to Maltese parents. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years James Littleton Gray whom she loved dearly and by her parents Joseph Cauchi and Mary Cauchi (née Vella), brother James Cauchi and sister Josephine Mills.

Lucy trained as a secretary but gave up her work to become a wife and mother. She immigrated to Canada with her husband and eldest daughter in 1951. She was a loving partner on all of her husband’s adventures to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rochester, New York; Ottawa; Sussex, England; Kingston; London, Ontario; and ultimately Sharbot Lake.

Lucy is lovingly remembered by her three daughters Alison Robinson (Wayne), Sharbot Lake, Linden Gray (Ron Doleman), Halifax and Jeanette Gray (Mike Inglis), London, Ontario. She will be lovingly remembered by her fifteen grandchildren and twelve greatgrandchildren in Canada and her five nieces and nephews in England.

Lucy’s children were her life’s work and joy. When the children went to school, Lucy volunteered for years at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. She was happiest gardening, knitting, smocking, playing bridge and bowling.

Lucy and Jim moved to Sharbot Lake in 1975 when they purchased Webster’s Store, now known as Gray’s Grocery. Lucy made many friends over the years tending the store. Her favourite customers were the children who came with their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. She would spend as much time as each child needed to pick out a little brown bag of “sweets” to take home. Many of her friends were folks like Herman VanAlstine, Don and Percy Webster and Bill Sproule who would pop in, in the evenings, to see that she was ‘ok’. Lucy’s home became Sharbot Lake, the people were like the family she grew up with in Manchester, England and she was very happy here.

Lucy had a big heart for children - that sums up her life. We loved her and peacefully laid her to rest with the man she loved in Oconto Cemetery on May 24th, together forever. Our heartfelt thanks to David Goodfellow for carrying out his duties with such sensitivity and care.

Special thanks to all the staff at Lanark Lodge, her home for the last four years. Their caring love, affection and kindnesses were her reward for a life well lived. Thanks also to Julia Goodfellow and Pam Marshall for their special private in-home care.

Our thanks also goes out to Doctor Peter Bell who provided her with wonderful medical care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence. Your generosity will go toward flowers for the gardens and outdoor furniture for our seniors to enjoy.