Mary Ann Gray

Mary Ann (Colombo) Gray passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on August 8, 2025, at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, MA after a battle with lymphoma. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Laurano) Colombo. Mary Ann was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts on August 25, 1938 and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she attended Lowell Public Schools and formed many lifelong friendships that would bring her joy and connection throughout her life. Numbers came easily to her, but people were always her passion. After a short career in bookkeeping, she followed her true calling and returned to school-while raising her young children-to become a nurse. She spent close to 40 years in nursing, first at Saint John's Hospital in the orthopedic unit, and later bringing comfort and care to children in the Tufts Growth & Development Clinic. She shared 47 wonderful years with her beloved husband, William B. Gray, until his passing in 2004. Together, they built a loving home, raised a family, traveled the world, and supported each of their children as they built lives of their own. Throughout her nursing career, she developed treasured friendships with her colleagues, who remained close well into retirement. Their dinners, beach days, and theater outings were filled with laughter, good food, and the joy of true companionship. Above all else, she loved caring for her family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always putting others first. She cared lovingly for her own parents, in-laws, aunts, and brothers-and carried that same dedication to her children and grandchildren. She was also a passionate traveler, exploring the world with close friends-from cruising the glaciers of Alaska to basking in the Hawaiian sun. Her adventurous spirit took her throughout Europe, and on several unforgettable trips to Australia and New Zealand, where she swam in the Great Barrier Reef and explored the majestic fjords. Her greatest joy, though, came from cheering on her grandchildren. Whether it was cross-country, track & field, field hockey, soccer, baseball, wrestling, basketball, ice hockey, or musical theater-if her grandchildren were there, she was too. And she loved every moment. She found peace by the ocean and spent over 20 summers at her cottage in Wells, Maine, creating sun-filled memories with those she loved most. Her legacy is her family. She is survived by her dear sister Catherine and brother-in-law Donald Denomme; her five children: Margaret Palmer, Catherine Marcangelo, Marybeth Sherrin, William J. Gray, and Anna Gray; her children-in-law: Terrence Palmer, Alex Sherrin, and Christine LaBrecque. She leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Alicia Grand, Matthew Palmer, Michael Marcangelo, Eric Gray, Zachary Gray, McLean Sherrin, Owen Sherrin, Madeline May, and Ethan May-and welcomed with great joy her three great-grandchildren: Landon, Brayden, and Layla. She was lovingly known as "Nana" to her blended family. Her love had no bounds. She held close her extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and Jayden, her grand godchild. Besides her parents and husband, MaryAnn was predeceased by her loving son-in-law Philip Marcangelo and brothers Joseph and Anthony Colombo. She was a nurse, a mother, a friend, a traveler, and above all, a nurturer. Her love shaped generations, and her warmth and wisdom will live on in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know her. The family would like to acknowledge the care Mary Ann received at Interventional Radiology at Lowell General Saints campus and the exceptional care provided by Care Dimensions's team.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Mary Ann's visiting hours will be Tues., Aug. 12, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral Wed., Aug. 13, 2025 at 9am from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 10 am at St. Margaret Church, 374 Stevens St., Lowell. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Memorials may be made in her name to Care Dimensions Hospice House Lincoln, MA. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-256-4040. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com