EAST VASSALBORO, Maine – It is with great sadness that the family of Prudence Bartley Gray announces her passing on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at the age of 90. She was born in Presque Isle, Maine, on July 15, 1927, the daughter of Ashton and Arthuretta (Kierstead) Bartley. Prudence attended elementary school in Westfield, Maine, and graduated from Presque Isle High School. She furthered her education at Washington State Normal School of Machias and graduated from the University of Maine.
During her college years, she met Allen Gray of Wesley, Maine, and they married in 1948. Prudence and Allen settled in East Vassalboro where they raised their four children. Prudence taught school in the Presque Isle, Winslow, and finally the Waterville school systems when she retired in 1982. She was a member of the Maine State Retired Teachers Association, Vassalboro United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Vassalboro Grange, and a lifelong member of the NEA.
Prudence is survived by her daughter, Ann Gray Paoletti and her husband, Stephen, of Costa Mesa, California; her son, Douglas Gray of Waterville; her daughter, Lynne Gray of Vassalboro; her grandchildren, Jeremy, Joshua and Erin Gray; Travis Clark and his wife, Amy; Sarah Clark and her fiancé, David Gordon; her sisters, Irene Tweedie; Donna and her husband, Winston Carter; Dolores and her husband, Phil Beals; Sharon Madore; Brenda and her husband, Raymond Saucier; her brother, Cary and his wife, Judy Bartley; her sister-in-law, Ann Bartley; and her brothers-in-law, James Gray and Wayne Porter; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Allen in 1994; her son, Gary Gray and his wife, Paula; her sisters, Gertrude Hawkins, Theora Porter; Joyce Duncan; and Claudette Brewer; her brothers, Ashton Ray, Wayne, and Albert Bartley.
The family would like to extend special thanks to VNA Home Health Hospice employees Laura, Sherri, and Sheila for their gentle care and family support.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church, 614 Main Street, Vassalboro. Burial will follow in East Vassalboro Methodist Cemetery, Bog Road, East Vassalboro, Maine. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Prudence’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in Prudence’s memory to The Vassalboro Food Pantry, c/o Cindy Ferland, 26 Ferland Lane, Vassalboro, ME 04989.
