Jo-Ann L. Gray

Jo-Ann Lindsey Gray died peacefully on March 4, 2017 at the Merriman House in North Conway, NH., after a long decline from Alzheimer's Disease. She was born on May 22, 1929 to Kathryn Mercer Lindsey and Brooks M. Lindsey and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and Washington DC. She spent many summers with her aunt and uncle in RI and they travelled frequently to the White Mountains of NH. It was here that she met her future husband, Roger Gray, when they were teenagers and were both staying at the Pine Hill Cabins in Conway. Jo-Ann attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Providence RI and worked for a few years as an executive secretary following her graduation. She and Roger married in 1950 and they moved around New England and Ohio as Roger's career in the life insurance industry advanced. They raised two daughters, Dianne and Linda, and settled in Manchester, and later Glastonbury CT for most of the rest of their lives. Jo-Ann was a homemaker and a very active volunteer in many community organizations. She served on nearly every committee at her church (South United Methodist) from organizing the annual church fair to leading the refugee resettlement committee. Jo-Ann's other passion was Girl Scouts. She was a long time troop leader and recruited and trained Girl Scout leaders from all over the CT River Girl Scout Council. In addition to her volunteer work, she and Roger traveled the world extensively and loved visiting their daughters and four grandchildren. After Roger died in 2007, Jo-Ann moved to NH and lived for over six years in assisted living at Mineral Springs of North Conway, followed by nearly 3 years at the Merriman House. Her family is grateful for the dedicated care and loving support she received from caregivers at both homes. Jo-Ann is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Dianne and David Desch of Fort Washington, PA; her daughter and son-in law, Linda Gray and David Gotjen of Intervale, NH, four grandchildren, Laura Desch Johnson, Nathan Desch, Karen Desch Hudson, all of PA, and Henry Gotjen of Washington DC, as well as ten great-grandchildren, and several cousins. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St. Manchester from 10-11 am with a service at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow in East Cemetery, Manchester. Donations in Jo-Ann's memory can be made to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut - Campership Fund, 340 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com

Visitation DetailsTuesday, March 7th, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am, Holmes Funeral Home
Service DetailsTuesday, March 7th, 2017 11:00am, Holmes Funeral Home
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery