Bessie Faye (Hughes) Gray, 85, formerly of Auburn, MA, passed away surrounded by her children after a valiant fight with a critical illness. A loving wife and mother, Bess was known in both her Orlando and Largo, FL neighborhoods as the “plant lady” for her incredible green thumb and perpetual gorgeous blooms that surrounded her property. Her favorite expression was: “Man Plans, God Laughs.”

Beautiful, smart, feisty, elegant, with an iron will and an amazing heart, Bess was the matriarch of an expansive family which she loved with all her heart. A strong example for the family, she secured her GED and then graduated from college after raising five (5) children to school age. She retired after many years excelling as Executive Secretary to the then President of the Small Business Service Bureau in Worcester, MA. Bess faithfully attended church wherever she lived – Hadwen Park Congregational Church in Auburn, MA; Church of the Nazarene in Orlando, FL and finally Christ Presbyterian Church in Largo, FL.

She was happily married for 52 years to the love of her life, George Roberts Gray, before he preceded her in death in 2001. She is the last survivor of seven (7) Hughes siblings of Milo, ME. She leaves behind her five (5) children who will miss her dearly: Victoria Marie Gray-Denault of Sturbridge, MA; James George Gray of Jamesville, NY; Darlene Violet Shade of Safety Harbor, FL; Coreen Shirley McGrath of Worcester, MA; and Michael Roberts Gray of Apple Valley, MN. With one (1) grandson and one (1) great grandson preceding her in death, she also leaves behind many grandchildren (14), great grandchildren (17), and two (2) great-great granddaughters who all adored their Nana Gray. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Bess’s honor to the America Heart Association