IM MEMORIAM: Evelyn J. Gray, 78;

Spent Career In Cooperstown Retail

COOPERSTOWN – Evelyn J. Gray, 78, who spent her career in downtown retail in Coopertown, passed away late Monday night, Feb. 12, 2018, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing.

A native of Cooperstown, she was born March 15, 1939, one of 13 children of Orlando and Nellie M. (Page) Bridger.

Evelyn lived her entire life in the Cooperstown area, and for 30 years was employed by Eric Hill as a clerk for the Farm & Home Bargain Center in The Stables on Main Street. She also worked for a time at Ron Brown’s Factory Store in the Doubleday Field parking area.

Not one to join clubs and organizations, Evelyn instead took great pleasure in spending time with her family, and especially enjoyed playing cards with them.

Evelyn is survived by four children, Barry D. Gray and his wife, Brenda Wedderspoon- Gray, of Cooperstown, Brenda Lee Gray of Walton, Pamela Madrid of San Antonio, Texas, and Bonnie Garcia of Lancaster, Calif.; six sisters, Hilda Pomeroy of Fulton, Elizabeth O’Brien and Mildred Jennings of Cooperstown, Cora Petrucco of Cortland, and Wanda Laymon and Lois Smith of Toddsville; and many, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Gordon “Gordie” Lee Gray, on June 12, 2017; her two sisters, Gladys Welch and Wilma Higgins Dyer; and her four brothers, Chester, Herman, Frederick and David Bridger.

At her request there will be no services.

Memorial donations may be made to Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY  13326, and the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.