Margaret Gray

Margaret Ellen Gray, 62, of Bozeman passed away at home on September 3, 2010. She was born in Worcester, MA, October 19, 1947, to William and Marjorie Mahoney. As the eldest of seven children, she was a responsible older sister and valued time spent at Girl Scout camp and visits with friends. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1965 and Worcester State College in 1969 with a teaching degree in Spanish. Following graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and embarked on a two year adventure in the highlands of Peru working with the Quechua Indians. It was during this time she met and married the love of her life and partner of 39 years, Jerry Gray. After leaving Peru, she and Jerry moved to Canada for several years where they worked at a lumber mill for her in-laws. They moved to Bozeman in 1975 and raised five children. After raising her children, Margaret worked in Belgrade as an aide and ESL tutor. It was here that she was able to renew her passion for working with children and incorporate her love of Spanish. Live, Love, Laugh. A life-long learner, Margaret loved reading, sewing, traveling (usually vicariously through her children) and visiting with her friends and family. Besides being an avid Red Sox fan, she was a New Englander at heart and cherished summer vacations at her brother#8217;s cottage in Wells, ME. Her children and family were her greatest source of pride and joy and she enjoyed all their pursuits from 4-H, shooting sports and Up With People to Gonzaga University and study abroad trips. Margaret loved her friends and treasured the many wonderful friendships she made over the years through playgroup, school and church. The incredible grace, courage and deep faith she demonstrated the last year of her life were a profound inspiration to all those around her. Her wonderful laugh, gentle spirit and great sense of humor will be greatly missed. Margaret is survived by her husband, Jerry; children Eileen, John and Kathryn of Bozeman, Daniel of Missoula, and Bonnie of Spokane, WA.; siblings: John Mahoney of Worcester, MA., Kathryn Mahoney of Paxton, MA., Ellen (Richard) Giannino of Monroe, CT., William (Charlene) Mahoney Jr., of S. Hadley, MA., Denis (Sue) Mahoney of Holden, MA., Marianne Mahoney of Amherst, MA., sister-in-law Marsha (Jack) Jensen of Winnett, MT., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Marjorie Mahoney. A memorial mass will be held September 16, 2010 at 10am at Resurrection Parish in Bozeman. An internment at Sunset Hills Cemetery will be followed by a reception at the church. Memorials may be made to the Gallatin Valley Human Rights Task Force, PO Box 1071, Bozeman, MT 59771(please note Tias y Tios in subject line) or www.caringbridge.com. Our profound gratitude to the Dana-Farber Cancer Center of Boston, MA: Dr. Choueiri, Dr. Hu, and Dr. Sugarbaker; Dr. David King of the Gallatin Valley Family Clinic, Dr. Purcell and the Billings Clinic, the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Maria, Kris and the wonderful staff at Rocky Mountain Hospice; and the incredible staff and administration of the Belgrade School District.