Marguerite Gray

Our Dearest Maggie

Marguerite Angela Gray was born in the Northeastern corner of Jamaica in the parish of Portland, on February 16,1951 to Joyce Areta Gray and Clenford Aston Gray. Maggie entered this world to a family of loving parents, and a big sister Marlene. Later, 5 more siblings were added. They were Keeti, Hopie, Kennet, Sandie and Huey.

We all grew as adults to have close bonds, but the bond with Maggie was always just more special. Maggie never took sides nor held grudges. She just sidestepped family bickering and was always her loving self with everyone. We were her best friends.

Maggie loved her family, whether closely related or not. She just showed love for all.

Maggie also had a creative streak. She played the violin, piano, and also the flute, which she played in her high school orchestra.

Maggie graduated from Queens College with a degree in education. Furthering her studies, she went on to acquire a Master's Degree from there as well. Although Maggie never worked as a professional educator, she took that nurturing personality to corporate America where she worked up to her passing.

Maggie worked for AICPA for 33years and continued to do so until the end. As with her family, she could never let anyone down, including her colleagues and work team. It's that personality and her loving ways, among many other endearing characteristics, that will be so deeply missed.

Maggie wasn't much of an athlete, but she was an avid follower of the N.Y. Rangers and the N.Y. Yankees. Maggie was a die-hard Jamaican New Yorker, through and through. She loved her Jamaican food, everything from ackee and saltfish to bun and cheese. Give her a piece of jerk, and pure smiles, especially if it was brought up from Jamaica with some pepper shrimp, roast fish and bammy.

Maggie adored her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She'd collect photos of them and put them lovingly into photo albums. She would love to pull them out and look at the pictures, especially if company was around.

I know Maggie is listening and most likely feeling embarrassed, saying, “Give me a break. Don't make me cry now.” But Maggie, we're crying. Our heart pains because we can no longer give you that phone call while you're watching your favorite show and hear that predictable response of yours, “Why are you calling now, I'm watching my show.” More often than not, she'd begrudgingly say, “Okay what is it?” Then, we'd talk, joke, debate politics and end with “ I love you, I love you too.”

Maggie loved to laugh and loved loving her family. She was willing to share everything she owned and was always concerned for her loved ones. Maggie was a worrier when it came to family and would bend over backwards to help selflessly, whenever she could. Maggie's nurturing personality and kindness will be missed by all who knew her, especially her siblings.

If we could explain who Maggie was in a word it would be LOVE. Uncompromising love, unconditional, no strings attached LOVE.

Sweetest Maggie, our hearts break, We long to hold you tight and never let go, but it was God's will that you should leave us, your family and friends. Just as you led us into this world, you're leading us now into the next.

We thank God for giving us the sweetest person ever to be born, and making her part of our family. Thank you Lord for the 68 years Maggie shared her love with us and we know, one day, we will see her again, in her fullest radiance and beauty.

Maggie, we miss you, It will take time, but from our hearts WE WILL MISS YOU AND WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU FOREVER.

With tears and sadness WE LOVE YOU Maggie! God, please protect her.