April 19, 1922 - January 28, 2013
COOPERSTOWN - Ruth M. Gray, a native of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully late Monday morning, January 28, 2013, at Otsego Manor. She was 90.
Born April 19, 1922, at The Thanksgiving Hospital in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of George Patrick and Edith E. (Olmstead) Allen.
Raised in Cooperstown, Ruth graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1940. Through the years, she was employed in Cooperstown as a cook at The Hitching Post Restaurant, The Pratt Hotel, and Sherry's Famous Restaurant.
Ruth will be remembered as a wonderful mom who was devoted to her kids and grandkids. She was also a tremendous caregiver to others, especially to her husband, Bob, during his battle with cancer, and to her son, Stubby, during his battle with MS. Throughout her life, Ruth possessed a great sense of humor, and could always be counted on to enliven any gathering. In her free time, she hooked rugs, travelled, enjoyed crossword puzzles and the daily jumble, and spent many hours just visiting away on the telephone with family and friends.
Ruth will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Christine R. Gray and husband, Robert, of Cooperstown, and Madeline Socci and husband, Edward, of Sharon Springs; her son, Kenneth A. "Buck" Carson, Sr. and wife, Marta, of Dallas, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Deborah, Don and Heather, Kenneth, Jr., Tami and Stephen; ten great grandchildren, Justin and Tammy, Hayden and Luca, Kenneth III and Reneé, Nathan, Alicia and Santanna, and Emily; and thirteen great great grandchildren, Abby& Ally, Ayden, and Mason, Garret and Riana, Carter, Elliot, Eva and Elka, Levon, and Carson and Jaxson.
She is further survived by one sister, Katherine "Kay" E. Rose of Otsego Manor; one sister-in-law, Louise Allen, of Cooperstown; many nieces and nephews; and her good friend, Marjorie Gallup, of Cooperstown.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Gray, whom she married July 4, 1969 in Middlefield. Bob died January 27, 1974. She was also predeceased by one son, Theodore R. "Stubby" Carson, who died June 8, 1989; one daughter-in-law, Florence Carson, who died December 27, 2009; and one brother, Ellis H. Allen, who also died in 1989.
With respect for Ruth's wishes, calling hours will be private.
Later this spring, a graveside service will be offered in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.
Thanks and appreciation are extended to the entire staff at Otsego Manor for the wonderful care provided to Ruth during her residency; this kindness is truly appreciated by her family.
For those who wish to honor Ruth's memory with a memorial donation, please consider the following organizations: The Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ, 85062; The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY, 10163; and The American Cancer Society, 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, NY 13790.
Arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.
