1927
Laurel
2007
Laurel Gray
December 8, 1927 — May 22, 2007
Laurel Irene Steele Gray, 79, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, May 22, 2007.
A long-time resident of Mission, KS, she had been living in Lenexa with her daughter, Kathryn Kennedy, her granddaughter, Briana Kennedy, and their cats for the past 2 months, where she appeared to be thriving. In a note she left behind she said, "I love it here with you; I feel content and more satisfied than I have in a long while!" On Tuesday evening, she had taken one of the cats with her out on the patio while she sat and read a book, had her evening cocktail, and enjoyed the evening air. One minute she was fine, talking about the garden and the trees, and the next minute she was gone. She endured so much the past 20 years as she fought her heart disease, those who love her take comfort in knowing she felt happy, peaceful, and content when it was her time to leave this world.
Laurel was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, on December 8, 1927 to Fred C. Steele and Edith Mae McBride Steele. Both of her parents preceded her in death. Her sister, Lou Gene Monaco of Miami, FL, survives. Laurel married Herman Gray on April 30, 1949. He preceded her in death in 1999. Their children, Bradley Gray and Kathryn Kennedy, survive. She also is survived by her 3 grandchildren, Briana Kennedy, Emily Gray, and Mitch Gray, her daughter-in-law, Misa Yasumiishi, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
Laurel retired from Merck, Sharpe, and Dohme, was an active member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and had been a member of Eastern Star for over 50 years.
Services for Laurel will be on Monday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.
Special thanks to Dr. John Oxler for his many years of compassionate care of Laurel and to Lindsey Reynolds for her in-home help these last 2 months.
A long-time resident of Mission, KS, she had been living in Lenexa with her daughter, Kathryn Kennedy, her granddaughter, Briana Kennedy, and their cats for the past 2 months, where she appeared to be thriving. In a note she left behind she said, "I love it here with you; I feel content and more satisfied than I have in a long while!" On Tuesday evening, she had taken one of the cats with her out on the patio while she sat and read a book, had her evening cocktail, and enjoyed the evening air. One minute she was fine, talking about the garden and the trees, and the next minute she was gone. She endured so much the past 20 years as she fought her heart disease, those who love her take comfort in knowing she felt happy, peaceful, and content when it was her time to leave this world.
Laurel was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, on December 8, 1927 to Fred C. Steele and Edith Mae McBride Steele. Both of her parents preceded her in death. Her sister, Lou Gene Monaco of Miami, FL, survives. Laurel married Herman Gray on April 30, 1949. He preceded her in death in 1999. Their children, Bradley Gray and Kathryn Kennedy, survive. She also is survived by her 3 grandchildren, Briana Kennedy, Emily Gray, and Mitch Gray, her daughter-in-law, Misa Yasumiishi, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
Laurel retired from Merck, Sharpe, and Dohme, was an active member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and had been a member of Eastern Star for over 50 years.
Services for Laurel will be on Monday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.
Special thanks to Dr. John Oxler for his many years of compassionate care of Laurel and to Lindsey Reynolds for her in-home help these last 2 months.
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