Gladys Geraldine Gray
Sep 18, 1921-Aug 11, 2020
In the care of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery
Gladys was born in Manton, MI to parents Thelma Rancour Gray and John Edward Gray. While she was definitely a product of the depression she often spoke fondly of the tight family bond that her family shared during those turbulent times. Like many people of that generation the difficult experiences that she observed and endured became fundamental in shaping much of her life’s perspective.
Most of her formative years were spent in Howell, MI where she met her future husband Ernest, who she married in 1940. Shortly after their marriage they relocated to Seattle where Ernest would continue pursuit of his degree in Chemistry at the University of Washington. With the onset of WWII Gladys became the breadwinner gaining employment at the Boeing Aircraft Company, initially as a bucker and , later as a true “Rosie the Riveter.” After the War Gladys and Ernest with young son in tow moved to Richland, WA to both work at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. They remained in Richland for about 13 years and had another child, this time a daughter.
Leaving behind a wide circle of friend sin the Tri-Cities, the early 1960s found the family returning to Seattle. A few years later Gladys decided to pursue an entrepreneurial path, opening her own art gallery and framing business. She made at least 15 trips to Europe over the years developing relationships with a vast array of artists whose works she offered in her Queen Anne Shop. The business thrived and she maintained it for 31 years, retiring in 1998.
After retirement she wondered what her next adventure should be. She finally moved to Palm Springs, CA, where she was quick to join the social scene, dancing on any occasion possible. Her marriage to Ernest had ended years before so she was now free to live out youthful pursuits that a young age marriage had denied her. She met lots of friendly people in Palm Springs who she enjoyed sharing margaritas with at frequent happy hours. She became known there as “GG” and she was able to exude the bubbly personality that truly was her hallmark. She met a fellow dancer, Al, and they had five wonderful years together prior to his passing. She would sometimes lament that someone, much younger than her, didn’t have the energy. I always told her “Mom, you are the exception, not them.”
On Aug 11, at 98 years old, she finally reached the end of the glorious race that she had pursued her whole life. She crossed that finish line having accomplished a life well lived. While she lost her beloved son, Darrell in 2008, she is survived by many people that she loved and who continue to love her: daughter, Janene, grandsons, Derek, Kyle (Amy), Andrew, and Jake, great grandsons, Parker and Logan, nieces, Shirley and Margaret, and many true blue supportive friends. She was one of a kind and will be forever missed. And mom…you still have your own teeth!