Deborah Hadden Gray
May 7, 1964 — September 25, 2019
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Funeral Service
Life Celebration
Deborah Hadden Gray
Born in St. Louis, Deb spent her early years in Pittsfield and then Barnard,VT. She attended Woodstock Regional High School and Bucknell University where she competed as a runner, skier and bicycle racer.She developed her love for science, nature, and an active lifestyle from her parents at a young age; shaping her into the intelligent, giving, and modest women she was to become.
Deb held a Masters degree in Biology and worked as a wetlands scientist and planner for Camp Dresser & McKee in Cambridge and Fort Point Associates in Boston in her early professional career.She worked 20 years with the Massachusetts Port Authority on airport and maritime projects, retiring as Port Director.Deb was a strong advocate for the working port, and the jobs and businesses it supported, while carefully balancing the priorities of the host communities.She managed critical projects such as dredging of the harbor as required to accommodate the ever-enlarging ships calling on the Port.She did her work with a 'can-do' spirit, filled with engagement and free of pretense.She was respected as a thoughtful and pragmatic manager, thriving at collaborating on complex projects with colleagues, the business community, elected officials, advocacy groups, and the public alike. She loved and valued her colleagues greatly.
Though she had a demanding professional life, her true focus and love were her family and being Mom to Liam and Collin.Deb prioritized and planned her time around them -cherishing meal times, birthdays, game and movie nights, arts and crafts, and many adventures big and small.She was always bringing them to unique and interestingplaces to explore, enjoy, and learn.She kept the family moving with biking, skiing, snow-showing, hiking, camping, and beach trips.She loved to travel, always looking for new places to journey to and explore.Deb was an avid walker no matter the weather, and also loved cooking, gardening, reading, and going to the beach.
Deb had a strong but private faith and lived it through her daily actions and deeds. This was important as her disease took hold, helping her persevere and later resolve to live her remaining time in the most meaningful ways possible.Deb drew strength and support from devoted friends to remain active and engaged in life as circumstances allowed.She later appreciated receiving amazing care from dedicated professionals tending to her complex needs; including many aides, nurses, and doctors with whom she developed loving relationships.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather in honor of Deb's life at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd., Lexington for her Memorial Service on Saturday, October 26 at 11am. A celebration of her life will follow at 2pm at the Exchange Conference Center, 212 Northern Ave., Boston.
Gifts in Deb's memory may be to a cause important to you or made to:
Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund
PO Box 760695
Melrose, MA 02176
or www.mhsfund.org
Follow Your Art Community Studios
647 Main Street
Melrose MA 02176
or @ www.fyamelrose.org
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
Development Office
1575 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA02138
or @ https://giving.spauldingnetwork.org/donate-now
and designate "Other" -"Adaptive Sports" and/or "Aquatic Therapy"
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deborah Hadden Gray, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Funeral Service
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Starts at 11:00 am
Grace Chapel
Life Celebration
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Starts at 2:00 pm
Exchange Conference Center
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