Marie A. Gray

Shrewsbury - Marie A. (Butman) Gray, died Friday, January 27, 2023, at home with her family at her side. She was 91. 

Marie Alta Butman was born at home in Northborough, one of five daughters of the late Charles Alton Butman and Bernice Alberta (Asquith) Butman. A graduate of Northborough High School with the class of 1949 she enjoyed playing on its basketball team with her sisters. She married Shrewsbury native Donald Ralph Gray on October 24, 1953, in the Congregational Church on Coburn Ave,  Worcester.

Marie was a familiar and friendly face for many years at the former Julio’s Market where she worked in the meat room and as a cashier, usually choosing to walk to work each day. Upon its closing she then worked at Stop & Shop, retiring after 21 years.

Her home in Shrewsbury was a wonderful place to raise her children, enjoy the yard and quiet woods and work in her gardens. She loved planting in her vegetable gardens and would jar and can most of the vegetables she harvested. Her infamous rhubarb grew in such abundance every visitor was certain to receive either a bag of rhubarb, or part of the plant to start their own.  Marie and Don were avid beekeepers for many years and shared honey with family and friends.

In earlier years she took lessons to become a pilot and in fact steered many flights, but medical conditions didn’t afford her the ability to earn her full license. Talented with needle and thread she was a fantastic seamstress, and her gift baskets were just that…wonderful baskets she took careful time to prepare and gift with all her delicious baked goods.

She enjoyed membership and friendships in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ray Stone American Legion Post #238 in Shrewsbury where she once served as president, and as a member of the Shrewsbury Historical Society. A longtime member of the First Congregational Church, she volunteered at its Mustard Seed suppers.  Marie and Don traveled with the Rotary club to England and Kiev, and made several other trips to Scotland, Ireland, England and Belgium.  They also did a cross country RV trip to Alaska with close friends Dick and Julia Buckley.

Marie was predeceased by her daughter, Robin Butman Gray, her parents, Charles and Bernice Butman and sisters, Louise McCarthy, Rita Butman, Leah Kimball and Jean Coulson; in-laws, Ralph C. and Emma E. (Eccelston) Gray and sister-in-law, Virginia Bartlett.

In addition to her husband of 69 years, Don, she leaves her children, Donna M. Gray-Hanc (David) of Jefferson, Maine, Peter D. Gray of Shrewsbury, Cindy Gray Eckert (Jim Emmons) of Deland, Florida, Diane J. Gray of Whittier, North Carolina and Brian C. Gray (Cathy) of Saco, Maine; her grandchildren, Harmony Eckert, Angel Eckert, Jocelyn Hanc (Megan Marlow), Zachary Ferguson, Ryan Hanc (Morgan), Emily Gray, Shaina Ferguson and Erin Gray; her great-grandchildren, Willow, Alek, Andromeda, Kingston and Jaxon; sixteen nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marie’s life by gathering on Friday, February 10^th for a calling hour in the Parlor at First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury from 10 – 11 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11 a.m. in the church. The Rev. Holly MillerShank will officiate. A collation in Gifford Hall will follow the service. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery will be private.

A link to the livestream of the service is available here: https://www.fccsm.org/marie-gray-s-funeral

Memorials in Marie’s name may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital,  516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104  or www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/new-england

Arrangements by James & John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.