Kathleen “Kim” Gray
SKOWHEGAN – On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, Kathleen “Kim” Gray earned her angel wings when she passed unexpectedly from a long battle with COPD with her family lovingly by her side.
Kim was born on March 3, 1959, the daughter of Merlene Ambulos and Robert Fortin and also had the love and guidance of her second father, Nicolas Ambulos growing up.
Kim attended Skowhegan Area High School, graduating in 1977. She received an associate’s degree in medical assisting in 1978, as well as her certification as a medical transcriptionist. She was the officer manager for Redington Medical Associates for 23 years. She later worked from home as a medical transcriptionist, retiring in 2017. She was extremely proud of all her accomplishments and made many lifelong friends along the way.
On Nov. 27, 1982, she married Daniel Gray, the love of her life. They celebrated 40 years of marriage together while raising their three sons. Kim and Danny enjoyed camping and blue fishing at White Sands Beach, making memories with friends for many years.
On their anniversary each year, they would go away to celebrate their love while shopping for their children’s Christmas gifts. Christmas at the Gray household was a monumental event. Every year they went above and beyond, sharing the joy of the season with many.
Kim loved her boys unconditionally with a fierceness that was unmatched. Despite life’s struggles they persevered together. Kim was so very eager to proudly tell anyone who was willing to listen about her three son’s life achievements and the good men they have all grown to be.
One of their biggest joys was their six grandchildren. Every summer Kim and Danny would make arrangements to take their grandchildren to Old Orchard Beach for a week, building lifelong memories with them. Kim had a free spirit. She once raced Bruce Shaw’s stock car at Star Speedway in the Powder Puff race. She loved the water and felt she found peace there. She enjoyed singing, girl’s gatherings, and trips. She had a true passion and love for the town of Skowhegan which she grew up in. She followed town politics and often tried to be a voice on behalf the people and strived to keep the community informed.
She was predeceased by her second father, Nicholas Ambulos; sister, Heather McGowan; in-laws John and Anna Gray; as well as sister-in-law, Ruby Lawler and her husband.
Kim is survived by her husband, Daniel Gray; three children, Rick Roderick with wife Lacey and grandchildren, Emilee, Abbigail, and Eliza; Matthew Gray with fiancé Teah Graf; grandchildren Hunter, Mya, Blake, Isaiah, and Paytyn; Aaron Gray with wife Melissa. She is also survived by parents, Merlene Ambulos and Robert Fortin; siblings Cheryl and Tim Knowles, Dana and Patty Fortin, Wayne McGowan, Holly and Tom Shaw, and Bobbi and Jamie Marshall, her brother and sisters in law Albert Gray with wife Susan, Jonie Christoph with husband Mike, John Gray with partner Kim; also including many special nieces and nephews.
Kim had a special bond with her friend and chosen sister of 50 years, Terry Bishop, their friendship was strong and withstood the test of time. Kim had through the years become close to who she referred to as her “other” son and daughter, Scott Newton, and wife Mallory, as well as their children Hope and Riley Garland. She gave all to those she loved.
A message from her sons:
“Mother, when the skies are blue, we will remember the good times. When the skies are grey, we will remember the challenging times we all made it through. When Mother Nature is throwing us curveballs, we will all laugh and wonder if you are smirking and up to no good. But when the air is crisp, light and easy to breathe, we will remember that you too are taking in those deep breaths now without fear or worries because we know you are now breathing freely, watching over all of us.”
We love you to the moon and back.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 at the East Side Cemetery, Oak Pond Road in Skowhegan at 11 a.m. There will also be a celebration of life following at the Farmers Hall, 296 Main St. in Canaan at 1 p.m.
Kim’s family would like to invite you to visit her memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/kathleen-gray to share condolences, photos, and special memories.
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