Ruth Gray, 77, of Norwich, passed away Thursday December 26, 2013 and was reunited with her husband, George W. Gray and grandson, George W. Thomas.
The daughter of William and Ruth (Armstrong) Keeley, was born on January 4, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY where she graduated from a local catholic school. After graduating, Ruth held various Jobs until she moved to Norwich where she met her husband, George W. Gray. Married in 1957, Ruth and George shared a 50 year marriage until his passing in 2007. Ruth held various jobs in the Norwich area until she found her true calling in becoming a nurse at the Valley View Nursing Home in Norwich. A career that she enjoyed and that capitalized on her strengths of taking care of others. After retiring from the Valley View Nursing Home, Ruth went to work as a Walmart greeter, greeting customers and creating close friendships that lasted for the remainder of her life.
Ruth was known by most as “Nanny”, a name given to her by her Grandchildren who she loved dearly and who thought of her as a second mother. . She loved nothing more than to visit with her family and spend time with her grandchildren and their families. Ruth was a strong woman who always thought of other before herself, often times giving everything she had so someone else didn’t have to go without. Ruth’s favorite pass time was spending time with family and friends, sitting around her kitchen table talking and sharing a cup of coffee.
Ruth is survived by his daughter, Ruthann Thomas and her husband Frederick of Norwich who cared for her and were by her bedside when she passed; grandchildren: Jeff Thomas and his wife Jennifer of Norwich, Jason Thomas and his wife Amanda of Chittenango, Fred R. Thomas and his wife Jennifer of Norwich, Tommy Thomas of Norwich; great grandchildren: Brianna, Mackenzie, Cheyann, Zaylee, Drew, Jacob, and Nathaniel, who always brightened her day. She is also survived by her brother and sister in law, Frank and Trudy Gray of Norwich, who were always willing to help and checked in on her daily; Sister Anna Main, who she loved dearly and spoke to on the phone every night; cousin Betty Gray and companion Ed Walrod of Norwich who helped her tremendously after the passing of her husband; close friends: Shawn Houck of Norwich and Constance Marie Lane of Bainbridge, who she loved like family and who helped care for her and treated her like she was family to them. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, George Gray, Grandson, George Thomas, and several brothers.
In honoring Ruth’s request, services will be held privately at a later time to be determined by her family.
Arrangements are by the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.