Cynthia R. Gray

PORTLAND — Cynthia Rae Gray, 65, a resident of Ocean Park the past 25 years, died in Portland on Oct. 17, 2016. The daughter of William and Betty Simpson, she was born in Everett, Wash., on Nov. 11, 1950. Cynthia grew up in Everett and graduated from high school there.

For 22 years she lived in Anchorage, Alaska. There she was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and was employed in construction of the Alaska pipeline. While visiting family on the Peninsula she met Christopher Gray in 1991 and they married Sept. 10, 1992. Cynthia became a permanent resident of the Peninsula thereafter.

Cynthia was a Christian and active member at Family Worship Center in Ocean Park. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, singing and traveling, having “made the rounds” of Europe. Her husband Chris fondly remembers: “it was her coy smile that melted my heart.”

Beside her husband, Cynthia is survived by sisters, Barbara McFarland of Utah, Nancy Collins of Nevada, and Kris Baylor of Utah; nieces, LeeAnn Gray and Kim Gray; nephews and nieces, Ryan Gray, Lance Gray, Darren Gray, Jade Collins and Joyce Collins, John Michael McFarland and Chandler McFarland.

Funeral service will be Thursday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m., at Family Worship Center, 263rd and Ridge in Ocean Park. Graveside rites follow at Ilwaco Cemetery and a reception will be held at the church. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.