Carolyn Akin Gray of South Burlington, Vt., went to her heavenly home
on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the age of 93, with her daughter,
Jill, holding her hand. She had shared the previous day with
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her minister and friends. She
told Jill that it had felt like her birthday, rather than a normal
day. Family, faith and friends were her life. Despite many years of
pain, she had an infectious smile and beautiful positive spirit,
always wanting to be helpful to others.
Carolyn is survived
by her children, Jill Gray Wilkens and her husband, Ed; Dan Gray and
his fiancée, Lisa Martin; and her deceased son Jim’s widow,
Elizabeth Gray; as well as her six grandchildren, Michael Gray and
his wife, Robyn; Marissa Strayer-Benton and her husband, Jackson;
Brian Gray and his wife, Melissa; Lindsay Zeitler and her husband,
Joe; Jacqueline Kahr and her husband, Derek; and Justin Gray. She is
also survived by her nine great-grandchildren, Elijah and Crosby
Gray; Avery and Grady Zeitler; Keagan, Parker and Natalie Gray; and
Roman and Lola Strayer-Benton; as well as many nieces and nephews and
extended family. They were the joy of her life. All who knew her felt
her love.
Carolyn was born on
November 2, 1930, to Laura Isabelle Cobleigh Akin and Aubrey Walter
Akin in Newport, Vt. She attended Newport schools until her father
was called into active duty during World War II, when she became a
self-proclaimed army brat as the family followed her father’s
assignments across the U.S. and eventually to Europe. She graduated
from the Heidelberg Dependents High School in Germany in 1948,
attended the University of Vermont for one year and then entered
nurses’ training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She
left training after one year to marry the love of her life, Jim Gray,
on June 14, 1951. They had 68 amazing years together.
Carolyn found great
joy as a wife and mother, managing the household, and she especially
enjoyed baking, sewing and crafts. When the family left Newport in
1966 and moved to South Burlington, she chose to operate a private
childcare service in their home. Later she worked at Magrams
department store in Burlington.
Jim and Carolyn
moved to Delray Beach, Fla., in 1983 and then to Boca Raton in 1986,
anticipating Jim’s retirement from IBM. In Florida, Carolyn enjoyed
working at Mercer Wenzel department store for several years. She was
very engaged with projects and committees at the First Presbyterian
Church of Delray Beach and loved working on crafts and Christmas
decorations. She made mink teddy bears from donated coats to help
raise money for various groups.
During their years
in Florida, Carolyn and Jim would often return to Vermont for
Christmas, as well as a month each summer. They returned full time to
South Burlington in 2011, living first at the Pines and then moving
to Harbor Village in 2017. Fellow residents and the staff became
extended family. They relished being closer to children and
grandchildren and later to their great-grandchildren in Vermont and
Massachusetts. Carolyn and Jim joined the North Ferrisburgh United
Methodist Church, where she became a dedicated and cherished member
of the congregation, always ready to share her weekly joys. During
COVID-19, she took up painting and had a real talent. Carolyn loved
to write beautiful letters and combined her art and writing to create
countless cards and notes for family and friends.
Carolyn was
predeceased by her parents; her wonderful husband, Jim; her beloved
son “Jimmie”; and her two brothers, John and Walter.
A memorial service
will be held to celebrate Carolyn’s life on April 13, 2024, 11
a.m., at the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church in North
Ferrisburgh, Vt. In lieu of calling hours the night before, there
will be fellowship time and a light meal following the service in the
church hall.
Donations may be
made in memory of Carolyn to the Jimmy Fund or the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church.
Arrangements have
been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services.
To send online condolences to the family, please visit
readyfuneral.com.
This article appears in Mar 20-26, 2024.