In Loving Memory
Jacqueline S. Gray – April 23, 1933 – November 20, 2022
It is with great sadness, but a true celebration of her life, that we announce the passing of Jacqueline S. Gray on November 20, 2022. In the 8 days prior to her passing her five grandchildren were able to come and visit (centered around a meal) as well as her two children by her side every day. She was known to her friends as “Jackie” or “Nanny”. She was born on April 23, 1933, and was raised in Chatham, New Jersey by her parents Jack and Lucille Servies, along with her two siblings, Jan and Bill. She attended Chatham High School and then received her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, which is also where she was introduced to her soon-to-be husband, Hamilton Kenneth Gray. Jackie went on to get her RN from Columbia Presbyterian Nursing School in New York City in 1956.
The Grays married in 1959 and made their home in Chelsea, NY and then purchased their first home in Ardsley, NY. Soon after pursuing her passion in nursing, Jackie temporarily retired (for 10 years) from nursing to raise their two children. In 1968, the Grays headed west to follow Ken’s career in financial planning and set up camp in La Canada, CA. This is when Jackie returned to nursing and spent the most celebrated years of her life working in the ICU and then the ER at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.
California was clearly where Jackie was meant to be as she became active in tennis, the Assistance League, Newcomers, and various nursing organizations, as well as took time to become the consummate entertainer for family and friends. The Gray household was always a place where people wanted to gather, Ken and Jackie always made sure everyone felt welcomed. Jackie took a mid-life break from nursing to pursue a successful 10-year career in residential real estate in La Canada. Upon retirement, the Grays moved to La Quinta, CA where they resided from 1993 – 2014, making a whole new group of lifelong friends, before finally moving to Dana Point in 2014 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Jackie is known to all who knew her as the driving force of the family. She was not content unless there was a scheduled “social outing” on the calendar and an opportunity to make one of her amazing appetizers or desserts. She threw some of the best parties any of us ever attended, and her secret family recipes will transcend generations. Her true legacy will always be the special moments she created (especially around the holidays) for all who knew her, as well as the love of her family.
Jackie is survived by her two children, Kim Carpenter of Dana Point (and husband Tom), and her son Dean Gray of Newport Beach. She cherished her 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, who all were with her in her final days. We are sad to say goodbye but thrilled to know that she and Ken are now together again and shining down on all of us!
A celebration of life gathering hosted by Kim & Dean will be held at Kim’s home on Jan. 28th. Kim’s e-mail is kim@carpfam.com if you need more information.
