Published in Watertown Times 23 Oct 2012 Richmond, KY/Alexandria Bay, NY — Mary M. Gray, 87, of 101 Brookview Drive, Richmond, Ky., passed away at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond in the evening on October 19, 2012. Mary was surrounded by several friends and of course, her daughter, Bonnie. Mary passed peacefully having fought a serious pneumonia for nine days at the ICU at Baptist Health Hospital in Richmond. Mary's family and friends knew never to give up on Mary's strength to survive serious illness, especially since she survived the normally "deadly" e-coli which took over her entire body in the summer of 1997. Born in Alexandria Bay, New York on August 4, 1925 to Margaret Herd Truesdell and Joseph Truesdell, Sr., Mary graduated from Alexandria Central School in 1942. She then enrolled in nursing school at the Mercy Hospital in Watertown, NY, but a serious illness prevented her from finishing the entire program. She married Gerald "Jerry" Gray on October 20, 1946 at the Reformed Church of the 1000 Isles with the Reverend William Hunter Officiating. In addition to her husband, Jerry, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joseph Truesdell, Jr. She is survived by one daughter, Dr. Bonnie Jean Gray of Richmond, KY, her sister-in-law, Betty Truesdell, one niece, JoLeta Gruzesky, one nephew, Randy (Gayle) Truesdell, and three great nephews (Christopher and Bobby Joe Williams, and Dustin Truesdell). Two very special caregivers, Martina Rothwell and Dorothy Hawkins, have provided compassionate and loving care for Mary for over ten years and are now part of her extended family. Mary was an avid outdoor sports enthusiast enjoying swimming, boating, figure skating, and both downhill and cross country skiing. She was also an accomplished bowler, who was a member of a team in the local leagues for over 40 years. Although never quite achieving a perfect game of 300, she received awards for 200 plus games, and 500 and 600 triples. At a state tournament in Jamestown, NY, she once started out a game with seven strikes in a row. Mary worked seasonally in several popular local restaurants in the 1000 Islands area including Foxy's and Yazells. Her waitress career spanned some 45 years. After her retirement and the death of her husband, she moved to Richmond in 1995 to live with Bonnie. She was able to travel with Bonnie and the Eastern Kentucky University Honors Program to many major US Cities such as New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Chicago. For their 25th anniversary Mary and Jerry enjoyed a trip to LaRioja, Argentina to visit their much loved exchange student, Sarah Anna Estrada Juarez, whom they hosted in 1965. Mary participated in several community activities and organizations, including the chancel choir and Women's Guild of the Reformed Church of the 1000 Isles, the Redwood, NY Home Bureau, and the American Legion Auxiliary. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Compassionate Care Center, 350 Isaacs Lane, Richmond, KY 40475, the memorial fund of the Reformed Church of the 1000 Isles, 52 Church Street, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, or to the charity of your choice. A funeral service will be held today. Oct. 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of The First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Kentucky. Calling hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the church immediately preceding the funeral service. There will be calling hours on Friday, October 26th, from 10am until noon at the Costello Funeral Home, Alexandria Bay, with a short prayer service beginning at 12 noon, with Rev. Robert Vrooman officiating. Burial will follow at Barnes Settlement Cemetery, Alexandria Bay. -------------------------