Melissa Jane Torres Gray

On October 4, 2021, we lost our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Melissa Jane Torres Gray at the age of 45. With grace, beauty and a beautiful spirit she peacefully lost her battle to breast cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

She was born in Portland, OR to Jane and Lupe Torres on March 2, 1976. After graduating from Banks High School, she attended Oregon State University and graduated with a degree in Health Promotion and Education. She also became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and served as President from 1997-1998.

After graduation, she landed her first job at American Lung Association. She then joined Providence Health & Services, where she remained a devoted employee for almost 20 years. Throughout her career she established meaningful relationships, and left a lasting impact on everyone she worked with.

At Oregon State she met the love of her life Ryan Gray. Married in 2001, they have 3 wonderful boys Mason (16), Bennett (13), and Jackson (10). Melissa was a devoted mother who loved her boys fiercely supporting them in all of their academic & athletic endeavors. They were the center of her life and she gave everything a mother could give.

Melissa was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in March of 2015. No matter how sick she felt, she never complained and was always determined to not let the disease dictate her life. Melissa stayed strong during her 6.5 year battle. She continued to show love and compassion, being a beacon of light and positive energy for those who spent time with her. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Ryan; sons Mason, Bennett, and Jackson; mother, Jane Russell and her husband Mike Jeffries; brother Tony and his wife Jody Opheim and their daughter Ellie; sister, Merrie and husband Greg Power and their children, Max, Sloane and Ainsley; brother, Ben and his wife Ann Torres and their children, Cora and Asher; sister Katie and her husband Darren Lueptow; in-laws, Patty and Mark Swantek; in-laws, Lupita and Stuart Gray.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2022, more information to come later.

In leu of flowers, Melissa’s wish was that you please consider donating to two important cancer foundations:

• The IBC Network Foundation www.theibcnetwork.org (please copy and paste link in your browser)

• Stanton Cancer Research Foundation

• To donate to the Cancer Research Fund on line:

https://give.providencefoundations.org/portland/cancer-research (please copy and

paste link in your browser)

• Under the “Additional Information” section, there is a “Comments” field that allows donors to give special instructions. In this box you can type “for Dr. Sasha Stanton’s research.”

• Below the “Billing Information” section is “Tribute Information” – here you can add tribute to Melissa Gray.

A fund has been set up to support the boys. Contributions can be made through Zelle from your own bank. Use Melissa’s phone number as the account number.