Shockey Roots

Gertrude “Trudy” Gray, 84, originally of Martins Ferry, Ohio, died Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the OSU Wexner Medical Center surrounded by love and family due to complications of the COVID-19 virus.

Trudy was born in Bridgeport, Ohio, on August 14, 1937, the daughter of Edison C. Murphy and Jessie L. Helt. She had a full and happy life raising three children and two grandchildren, playing cards, gardening, watching WVU, OSU, and Pittsburg Steelers football, and doting on her dogs Rosie and Brutus who were waiting for her in Heaven with their tails wagging. She retired from Wheeling Park after being the face of the Wheeling Park Golf and Tennis shop for 35 years. After the loss of her husband, she moved to Dublin, Ohio to live with her daughter Sue and recently resided at the Abbington of Powell Assisted Living where she made many friends (human, bird, squirrel, hummingbird, and deer alike).

In addition to her parents, Trudy is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph D. Gray, her sister, Margaret “Peg” Kyser, and four brothers, James Murphy, William Murphy, Joseph Murphy, and Frances “Ike” Murphy.

Trudy is survived by her, son, Ernie Gray and his wife Brenda of Martins Ferry; two daughters, Sandra Sue Steuerwald of Dublin, Ohio, and Diane Coty and her husband Kevin of Hilliard, Ohio; ten grandchildren including Trish Ricer and Jill Gray who were raised by Trudy and Ralph; eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The impact she had on their lives will always be remembered with love and sadness that she has moved on, however, leaves them all with wonderful memories and a new guardian angel until she meets them all again.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Holly Memorial Gardens on June 3rd at 2:00pm with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, Trudy would love for you to buy a bag of bird seed or deer corn and to pass some love along to her forest friends.

Published by Buckeye Cremation by Schoedinger on Apr. 5, 2022.