Obituary of Ann Gray

GRAY, Ann Alice of Kitscoty, AB quietly slipped away in the Lloydminster Hospital on December 20, 2006 at the age of 86 years. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. Ann was predeceased by her husband: Ken Gray and her sons: Kenny and Don, and her brothers: John and Harry Chomik. Ann Gray was the kindest, most caring, considerate lady. We are blessed she was a part of our lives. Ann was born on May 16, 1920 at Musidora, AB. Her arrival announced the third child born to Harry and Helen Chomik. Ann was only two years old when her 39 year old father died of appendix complications at the Mannville Hospital. Her bereaved 28 year old mother was expectant - baby Harry had not arrived yet. Helen, widowed so young, determined that no other man was going to raise her four children. She worked hard to feed and clothe her little family. She was blessed with help from her mother (such a wonderful, story-telling grandmother) and her loving, generous brother and sister-in-law Dymetro and Andrianna Bohaichuk. The little family lived in a two room house near Musidora during the children’s elementary years. They all moved to a little house on John’s farm north of Minburn when Ann, Mary and Harry were pre-teens. The 3 mile walk to attend Bowling Green School was uphill in the morning and downhill in the afternoon. Ann loved school and she loved to debate. The teacher would spar her off against brother Harry. That’s when the debate would really start percolating. Little did she know how these experiences would compliment her later in life. (In June 2006 Ann and Mary visited Bowling Green School. They were escorted to the school by their School Teacher: Mrs. Frances Drury of Minburn. That was a very special day!) Ann enrolled in a Hairdressing Course at the Holland Beauty School in Edmonton when she became 16 years of age. She moved to Kitscoty after the training and opened up her own Hairdresser Shop, as there were none in that town. However, Kitscoty was full of young, good-looking fellows. One hockey player/baseball player caught her eye. On August 19, 1940 Ann Alice Chomik and Kenneth Charles Gray were wed. Over the next seven year span they were blessed with three children: Don, Kenny, and Gloria. Ken was called to active duty in World War II and served with the Canadian Military Signal Core in Sicily/Italy. Ann and the boys moved in with Mom and Dad Gray while Ken was overseas. I remember her remarking that she “was treated just like a daughter”. She said, “Mom even built an apple box car with a steering wheel for the boys.” Life back then was a struggle and the war affected everyone. Our family still has many of the letters Ken sent home. Ken returned home from the war to face another nightmare. Sweet little baby Kenny was taken from them in 1946. He bravely battled Spinal Meningitis and Whooping Cough at the young age of two and one half years. This was very, very hard on the whole family. Ann and Ken determined to stay busy. This is when they became so very active in every facet of the community. Ann did love her church. She was a Life Member of the Wesley United Church in Kitscoty and served in many different capacities: Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, CGIT Leader, UCW Treasurer, Choir Member. She was a wonderful role model. Both Ann and Ken were active members of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. No.158 and held various positions in the club over the years. Ann stated how very proud she was to become a member of the Men’s Legion. She served as their Secretary-Treasurer for five years. Ann was a member of the Kitscoty Ladies Curling Club and enjoyed many exciting bonspiels. She curled alongside Sadie Miller, Betty Conroe, Selma Leighton, Agnes Franke, Ethel Beaton – just to name a few. She brought home quite a few trophies, but the things I remember were the big pots of homemade soup and pies we weren’t allowed to touch – they were designated for the Curling Rink Concession. Everybody knew how good her apple pies and lemon pies were! Christmas Eve was spent with Ann’s side of the family for many unforgettable years. There were seven families and each family took their turn at hosting Christmas. It was the closest thing to heaven for us children – excellent company, fantastic food, presents galore, sing-songs, Santa, and a chance to bond with family. It was wonderful! New Years Eve saw one or two copper boilers brewing coffee on top of the stove in our house. Ann regularly volunteered to make the coffee for dances at the old Town Hall across the street. It took two very strong men with well wrapped hands to carry those boilers. In 1948 Ken & Ann bought a garage business in Kitscoty. Some of the Kitscoty Motors employees were Art Wynne, Russell Lang, Ralph Cooper, Alf Franke, and Pat Tyler. Don worked in the garage after school hours. (He later apprenticed in Edmonton with Turnbull Motors.) Kitscoty Motors was located on the corner of Main Street and Railway Avenue – a perfect location as Kitscoty was a real bustling town in those days. Ann was the Kitscoty Motors Bookkeeper from 1949 - 1966. Ann would load up the kids in the baby buggy, walk uptown and keep them (buggy and all) in the small office at the garage while she worked on the books. Next to her desk is where Ken would repair radios. For seventeen years they worked side by side. Regretfully Ken had to give up the garage business due to heart and health. In 1966 he applied for and became Kitscoty’s Postmaster (1966 - 1982). Ann was the Branch Manager of a Treasury Branch Sub-Agency in Kitscoty from 1967 to 1974, as well as the Caretaker at the Post Office from 1968 to 1980. Ambitious as she was, she also took on a part-time position with the County of Vermilion River as a Welfare Officer and Mobile Home Assessor (1970 - 1973). She then thought to apply at Fisher’s Store in Lloydminster. In 1974 Ann became the Manager and Buyer for Fisher’s Department Store Shoe Department. She made many trips to “Shoe Factory Displays” and enjoyed her work very, very much! The Factory Rep’s would kid Ken Fisher by saying, “Where did you find that gal?” and Mr. Fisher would just laugh. Nobody could talk Ann into purchasing anything. She bought only what her customers wanted! See – the debating paid off! She was a born politician! Community service was second nature in our family. Ann served on the Kitscoty Town Council from 1972 to 1977. First, as Town Councillor (1972-1974) and then, as Mayor (1975-1977). Ann Gray was the “First” Lady Mayor of the town of Kitscoty. She was deeply honored by her public support and she was so very proud! What a remarkable milestone! That impressive Kitscoty Landmark – the tall, silver Kitscoty Water Tower - is a reminder of Ann, who was the Mayor of Kitscoty in 1976 when her Town Council purchased the 120 foot, steel, 80, 000 gallon, 120, 000 pound water tower from Lloydminster for a $1 plus a $1000. disconnection fee. The tower was transported upright (so bending would not dislodge rivets), ballasted, and permitted a 20 foot sway, as over-head lines were cut and reconnected along Highway 16 from Lloydminster to Kitscoty. This was quite a sight! The historical move was accomplished on October 18, 1976. Ann also had the pleasure of officially opening the Kitscoty AgriPlex, the Kitscoty Masonic Hall, and the Kitscoty Senor’s Centre. She even received an invitation from Peter Lougheed to attend the Premier’s Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Hotel MacDonald in Edmonton. Ann was deeply honored to be the Master of Ceremonies for Mr. & Mrs. J. Nicols’ 50th Golden Wedding Celebration, as well as their 60th Diamond Wedding Celebration. This was yet another very special moment in Ann’s life! Ann retired in 1982 - a year after Ken. They spent many happy retirement days enjoying family and friends at the cabin at Cold Lake. The fish stories were rarely surpassed by other tales! However, we did hear some really outstanding “lake storm” and “bush bear” stories. They were active - fishing, motorcycling, ski-dooing, traveling, visiting wonderful relatives, visiting wonderful friends – they enjoyed life every moment! On February 17, 1986 at the age of 70 years Ken passed away. Ann sat for hours holding little grand-daughter Nicole on her lap – youth comforting the aged. She said, “My grandchildren are my life! They are my greatest joy!” Ann decided to move to Lloydminster to be closer to family, and so lived there for the next five years. She lived for her family and friends. Asthma and heart problems forced her to return to Kitscoty on March 1, 1996 and she moved into Kitscoty’s Alberta Rose Manor. She remained very active! We have many crocheted ducks, dolls, and doilies to prove this! The Kelowna and Cold Lake deep freezers were kept full of Ann’s Delicious Saskatoon Pies and Ann’s Famous Apple Pie. Boy was she a busy lady. In 1997 she braved Cardiac Bi-Pass Surgery. The first words she spoke in the Recovery Room were: “Where’s my Noxema?” Imagine our surprise! She was a fighter! Brother Don and I were by her side….together. Ann endured one more heartache – the loss of her precious son Don in 2001. Once again family and friends rallied around her offering their support. The love and prayers helped. Ann’s determination to fight for life, so that she could watch over her friends and loved ones, allowed her to live almost ten years beyond her bi-pass surgery. She was the ultimate kind and generous woman - always assisting and helping those in need. Her greatest concern was the comfort and well-being of others. She leaves us for now, but her legacy will continue through the lives she has touched and those who dearly love her: Ann’s sister Mary Harasym of Kelowna; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harold and Ollie Chisholm of Edmonton; her sister-in-laws: Gertie Martin of Westlock, Leo Cairns of Cold Lake, Betty Evans of Kitscoty; her daughter Gloria (Don) Mark of Lloydminster; her daughter in-law Marcy Gray of Sherwood Park; her five grandchildren: Ken Gray of Sherwood Park, Gary (Jolene) Gray of Fort McMurray, Nathan Mark of Lloydminster, Michelle (Dorian) Harrison of Lloydminster, Nicole Mark of Lloydminster; seven wonderful great-grandchildren; and many adored & adoring nieces, nephews and friends. The Funeral Service for Ann Alice Gray was officiated by Reverend Bob Aldrich at the Kitscoty Community Church on December 27, 2006 at 1:00 PM. The organist was John Scott and the hymns sung were: Softly & Tenderly, The Old Rugged Cross, and Beyond the Sunset. Scriptures were read by Nicole Mark and the Eulogy was given by Dr. Peter Harasym Jr. Soloist Yvette Barnett sang Amazing Grace accompanied by Donna Eiben on piano. Honor Guard: The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.158 The Honorary Pallbearers were: “All those who shared in Ann’s life”. The Active Pallbearers were: Rick Gray, Nathan Mark, Gary Gray, Chad Gray, Don Mark, Dorian Harrison, Nicole Mark, Donald Gray, Peter Harasym Jr., and David Harasym. Ann was laid to rest alongside her husband Ken in the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks The family of Ann Gray would like to express their appreciation for the flowers, food, cards, phone calls and memorial donations. We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you Reverend Bob, you are heaven sent and always in the right place at the right time. Thank you Dr. Kerlis and staff at the Lloydminster Regional Hospital for your care and kindness. A special thank you to the girls that stood by mother’s side talking and gently comforting her hands. Mother’s hands had done a lifetime of work for others. Thank you to all the staff at the Islay Health Centre for your kind hearts, the Royal Canadian Legion No. 158 Honor Guard for your deep respect and loyalty, John Scott for the beautiful music, Shirley Scott for the comforting Memorial Service in Islay, Yvette Barnett for the heavenly ac capella, the Kitscoty Community Church Choir for leading us in song and the church ladies in providing a wonderful lunch to sustain us through the day. Thank you Glen, Dave, and staff for your sincerity and kindness. We are grateful and will always remember – Gloria, Don, Nicole, Nathan, & Hannah Michelle, Dorian & Brynn Marcy, Ken, Danny, Steven, & Jarod Gary, Jolene, Britni & Kortni The Gray, The Chomik & The Harasym families All Ann’s friends Donations in memory of Ann may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Kitscoty Community Church or to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice.