1935 - 2015
COOPERSTOWN - Brigitte Helene Gray, 80, of Hyde Park, passed away Sunday morning, March 22, 2015, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.
A native of Germany, she was born January 28, 1935, in Munich, a daughter of Konrad and Angelika (née Thoma) Göeppel. Following her formal education, Brigitte studied hairdressing, and earned her license to practice in Germany.
In 1954 she met Clifford A. Gray, a serviceman stationed in Germany with the United States Army. On May 14, 1955, Brigitte and Cliff were married in Gersthofen, Germany.
The young couple eventually settled in the United States in Roosevelt on Long Island and began to raise a family. The Grays lived on Long Island until 1969, when they moved north to Cliff's native Cooperstown and made their home in Hyde Park on the corner of State Highway 28 and County Highway 11C.
When her children were young Brigitte made it a point to stay at home with them. A caring and loving mother, she never stopped doting on them, even when she took a job in 1969 at The Meadows where she was employed until 2000 in the dietary department.
Throughout her life, Brigitte possessed a great love of nature, especially animals, and took great pride in caring for the many dogs and cats her family owned. In recent years she especially enjoyed many walks with her dog Bear.
A faithful Christian, she was a devoted member of Faith Baptist Church in Hyde Park.
Brigitte is survived by one son, Richard C. Gray and his wife Robin, and one daughter, Cathy A. Bouck and her husband Steven, all of Cooperstown; a beloved parakeet, Stella; one sister-in-law, May Tymcheck of Hortense, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Gordon L. Gray and his wife Evelyn of Cooperstown; and several nieces and nephews. Brigitte also had a brother, Werner Göeppel and a sister, Angelika Geissler, both of Germany.
With respect for Brigitte's wishes services and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Brigitte, her family suggests memorial gifts be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, or Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Brigitte's family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation for the kind compassionate and understanding care provided by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care and the staff at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.
Arrangements are under the care and 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 at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
