Mrs. Claudine Virginia Gray

Claudine Virginia Gray passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Fresno, California. She was born on October 8,1930, in El Reno, Oklahoma. During the Dust Bowl, her farming family worked its way to California, where she grew up in Bakersfield. Claudine attended and graduated from Tranquillity High School. She was active in many charitable organizations, and was a lifetime honorary member of the Llanada Guild, as well as a chairman of fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society. Claudine was also a long time member of the Fresno Cotton Wives. She and her husband, Ron Gray, were active in many business enterprises, including the development of college student housing in California, Oregon, Texas, and Colorado.

Gray Interiors was one of Claudine's favorite endeavors, as she delighted in decorating homes and all of the projects she and Ron built together.

Most of all, Claudine was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who left behind a legacy of Christian love to all of those who knew her. Thoroughly charming, she brought light to all that she touched. She had an affinity and great talent for fashion and design. Her farming genes evidenced themselves in her adoration of flowers and landscapes. She especially enjoyed traveling, boating, a glass of good wine, and celebrating the holidays with family. Her unconditional love and soothing presence brought our family together time and time again.

Her life may be best epitomized by the following Arthur Rubenstein quote:

"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back."

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ernest and Gracie Sullivan; and her sister, Joyce Rupe.

Claudine is survived by her husband, Ron Gray; children, Gary Gragnani and his wife Bonnie, Patricia Graham and her husband Dale, Michael Gragnani and wife Lisa, and step-daughter, Kelly Gray, all of Fresno; grandchildren, Victor, John, and Anthony Gragnani, Jason and Melissa Graham, and Vanessa, Candace and Mike Gragnani; great-grandchildren, Marissa, Emmi and Ryder Graham, Parker and Jaycie Graham, Logan and Bella Gragnani, and Falynn Gragnani; great-great grandchildren, Brooks and Camryn Ellington; brothers, Mike and Larry Sullivan; aunts; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sulilvan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Friday, March 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.

Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice; St. Agnes Medical Center; Children's Hospital of Central California; or the American Cancer Society.