Linda Ann Donk Gray

Linda passed away gently at home on a beautiful, cold and crisp Portland night listening to her favorite music written and sung by her son Rich. She was surrounded by members of her family, including her children, John, Meg and Amy, her sister, Joanna, and her steadfast and loving husband, Bob. She will be remembered for the many lives she touched and the people that loved her.

Born in Troy, New York and raised in Cohoes, New York, Linda was the school valedictorian in Cohoes High School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Geography while studying at Middlebury College, (Vermont) where she was the Winter Carnival Queen. Linda also received a teaching degree and taught school in New York, Massachusetts, Colorado and finally Oregon.

From the time she was a young woman, Linda was an avid hiker and climber and could readily name every trailhead, peak and wildflower in upstate New York and, later, in the Columbia Gorge and throughout the Pacific NW. She climbed both Mr. Hood and Mt. Whitney well into her 60s. Since her youth, Linda was a top-notch skier and made it very clear that any potential mate would have to share that passion. She eventually found her match in a pilot she’d met in 1955 named Robert A. Gray. The two were married in Denver, Colorado, in 1961. They moved to a small Portland fixer-upper until a new house was completed in 1972 on Bull Mountain, in Tigard. The couple celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this year.

Linda volunteered and served on the board of the Portland zoo. She was an active hike leader for the Tryon Creek Day Trippers and took part in the Mazamas. In addition, Linda served on the board of an organization for wayward kids, in Tigard.

Linda’s faith was certain, steadfast and personal. She was a longtime (40+ years) member of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tigard, OR.

Linda was beautiful, observant, powerful, quiet, fare and loyal. She was a good listener and rarely missed the opportunity to embrace a learning moment. Linda was an avid reader, enjoyed researching new restaurants and cooking trends, and traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Thailand, Easter Island and the Galapagos. She was a certified scuba diver.

She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Gray, her children John S. Gray, Margery (Frank) Linza, Richard (Ernesto Pino) Gray, Amy (Brian) O’Neel, her sisters Joanna R. Donk and Margery D. Beeler, her grandchildren Ashley, Katie, Anne and Renee, and cherished nieces and nephews.

Linda’s family is very grateful for the support and good wishes they continue to receive. They also wish to thank the Providence hospice team for their professional, kind and gentle care.

Linda will be long missed and forever remembered, especially at Camp in Newcomb, New York, amongst “the trillium, the lilies and Daddy’s red canoe”.

A service celebrating the life of Linda Gray will take place on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Lane, Portland, OR 97224