"2 files added to the album Mom"
In loving memory of
Catherine Elsie Gray
July 17, 1940 - May 12, 2016
Catherine Elsie Gray, 75, of Middleotwn, died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 12, 2016 at Newport Hospital.Kay was born on July 17, 1940, in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Catherine Elsie (Bucci) Arsenault. When Kay was just 16, her mother died and she left school to help raise her five siblings, Ernest Arsenault and his wife Eva of Florida, Manny and is wife Joanne of Middletown, Roseanna and her husband Dave of Connecticut and Shirley Coffey and her husband Dave of North Carolina and her late brother Billy. She was proud and dedicated to help her siblings and continued to be with their children, known best as Auntie Kay always with an open kitchen door. Kay's favorite job was as a Rogers High School bus driver. She enjoyed taking the kids "off route" as the school year drew to a close. She worked as a housekeeping supervisor with the Naval Station for the Visitor's Quarters for 17 years. She was responsible for a department of 11 team members who cared for our military members. She enjoyed fishing, sitting in her garage telling stories and taking drives around Aquidneck Island with her husband.All who knew Kay could contest that she had a gentle spirit and heart of Gold. With Kay's passing we remind others that "It's a beautiful world out there" and we should help others, live a just life with grace and love. She will forever live on in the hearts of many.She is survived by her husband Manny Rodericks of Middletown, her children: Ray and his wife Carol of Middletown, and Victoria Settle and her husband Tom of Middletown, her grandchildren, Terry and Crystal of Connecticut, Elizabeth of Bristol, RI and Zac and Logan of Middletown, three great grandchildren, Terra, Sawyer, and Ellie Fisher of Connecticut, and two great grand children expected in the Fall of 2016, several nieces, nephews and cousins that will deeply miss her presence.She was the mother of the late Robert Gray.Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 16 from 5:00-8:00pm in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 17 at 8:00am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 in St. Lucy's Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery, Browns Lane, Middletown.In lieu of flowers, donatons in her memory may be made to The Three Angels Fund, 594 Indian Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation MAY 16. 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Mass MAY 17. 09:00 AM St. Lucys Church 909 West Main Road Middletown, RI, US, 02842
Tributes
"Tribute to 'A Mother, Our Mom'I don't think there's anything I can say here todayThat you all don't already knowAbout this wonderful woman we call MomThat we're finding very hard to let go.At a very young age, with the loss of her motherShe stepped up to the plateCaring for her dad, her sisters and brothers.Her strength and her courage was sure to be admiredFor she'd taken on the role of being their mother.She cooked, she cleaned, and she ironed their clothesShe stood by their sides through the highs and the lows.Then one day she decided to marryBecause she knew she wanted to start her own family.Along came her children Robert, Raymond and VickieAnd she glowed with pride knowing this won't be tricky.She raised her three children pretty much on her own,She taught them life's lessons until they were grownBe good and be honest, always do the right thingBe there for each other and spread your wings.And that you did and I know she was proudOf what you accomplished and what you're all about.Through the years, to help make ends meetShe took on a jobSitting in a bus driver's seatShe enjoyed hauling kidsTo and fro from their schoolsAnd often went off routeWhich was against the rules.She later was hired to run a crewFor service members attending Navy schoolsShe enjoyed that position for 17 yearsUntil she retired and moved on to new frontiers. Her children grew up and all left the nestAnd gave her the gift that she always loved bestGrandchildren of course, a total of fiveShe glowed with happiness and above all, pride.Crystal gave her great grandchildren, three came alongShe couldn't wait to sing them nursery songs.Later this year with two more on the wayTerry and Liz, I can hear Grandma sayTake care of yourselves and have no fearI'm looking over you now and I'll always be near.Zachary and Logan you made Grandma proud Be sure to always keep your feet on the ground, Continue to grow and please be gladFor all the time you and Grandma had.Later in life when she remarriedShe had found the guy who would make her happyShe did love you Manny with all of her heartAnd she never thought that you two would part.We're sorry for your loss and you know that we're hereIf you need to talk or shed a tear.What else can I say about this great ladyHer happy, caring and gentle waysI could go on but it'll take all day.Now that's she's goneAnd we're all very saddenedFor none of us ever wanted this to happen.We all have our memoriesThat I hope you will keepFar down inside and very very deepSo with this poem we say our goodbyesWith hurt in our hearts and tears in our eyes.She really is going to be greatly missedWe'll never forget that one last kissNow that she's left us for a better placeWe'll always see her bright smiling face. We really have had a rough past yearWe shared lots of laughs and we've cried many tearsI can hear Mom now saying from the heavens aboveTo everyone here I'll miss you allAnd I'm sending my LOVE."
"So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.Christine & Tom Bandoni"
"Deepest sympathy for your loss. We have very fond memories of her."
"Sending my heartfelt sympathy, Marj McDonald"
"Crystal Cross Bouquet was purchased for the family of Catherine Elsie Gray."
"Judy (Steeves) Savio and families purchased the Divine Peace Bouquet for the family of Catherine Elsie Gray."
"Judith lit a candle in memory of Catherine Elsie Gray"