Mary Margaret (Ward) Gray, 82 of Newbury, MA, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021 at Country Center in Newburyport. She was born in Lowell on May 6, 1939 and was a daughter of the late George Walter Ward, Sr. and the late Elizabeth (Sheehan) Ward. She was the Long time Companion of the late Lewis "Mal" Malonson and they spent over 50 years together residing in Lowell then moving to Plum Island in 1981.
Mary first began her career working in the textile industry in Lowell, before becoming as a Nurses Assistant at Tewksbury State Hospital. She then began working as a House Counselor at Solstice House in Rowley, where she worked nights for over 30 years. She also worked days at Baxter in Danvers and later at Morrison Machine and Tool for several years working part-time after her retirement from Solstice in 2011, to keep busy and her Mad Money fund.
Mary & Mal loved to watch the Patriots and especially watching her nephew Irish Micky Ward in the boxing ring. She loved to travel, especially to Alton Bay, where she would split her summers for many years at Lake Winnipesaukee relaxing at her cottage. She also loved to test her luck at gambling, especially playing scratch tickets. She had a quick whit, great sense of humor and a laugh that was infectious to all who met her and above all she loved her family with fierce loyalty.
Mary is survived by her five cherished children, Robin E. Gavin and her husband, Dennis of Dracut, Rosemary K. Albert of Dracut, Thomas G. Gray of Haverhill, Kelly A. Gray of Pineville,Kentucky, and Sandra L. Gray and companion John McCoy of Newburyport, MA.
She is also survived by her twelve Grandchildren, Robin Diaz, Patrick Gavin, Jason Albert, Shaun Gray, Erin Tuleja, Edward Elmore, Jessica Elmore, Shane Elmore, Sarah Gray, Kyle McCoy, Jenna McCoy and Kevin McCoy; her 23 Great Grandchildren and her three Great-Great Grandchildren and numerous Nieces and Nephews. She also leaves behind her her 2 siblings, Daniel Ward of Pelham, NH and Sharon Lane of Richmond, VA; her sisters in law, Jean Gray of Dracut, Francis Ward of FL, Debra Ward of FL and Marianne Ward of FL.
She was predeceased by her 5 siblings, the late James Ward, Gerald Ward, William Ward, George Ward and Elizabeth Ward. Former husband Robin Gray. Her beloved Grandson, the late Ryan J. Gavin of Dracut and her sisters in law, the late Kathleen Ward and the late Alice Ward.
On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 978-851-2061. Her funeral service will take place in the funeral home at 12 noon followed by burial at Lowell Cemetery.
For those who can not attend the service in person, the service will be live streamed on ‘Tewksbury Funeral Home’ facebook page at:
CLICK HERE FOR STREAMING VIDEO
The stream will be available for viewing live or anytime after the services and A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.