Obituary of Camilla Brown Gray
Camilla “Cam” Brown Gray 11/1/25 to 8/26/17
Looking as beautiful as ever, armed with great faith, her rosary beads in one hand, and family at her side, Camilla “Cam” Brown Gray, 91, of Lakeland, FL, formerly of Bolivar, NY and Boynton Beach, FL went home to heaven on August 26, 2017. Born in Olean, New York on All Saints Day, Camilla was the daughter of Creed D. Brown and the former Teresa A. Murphy of Water St., Olean. On September 21, 1950 at St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, she married Daniel L. “Mike” Gray, a Bolivar native, who predeceased her in 1981.
Cam grew up at 137 N. 19th Street in Olean and completed her primary education at St. Mary’s Academy. In 1944, she graduated from Olean High, where she was a cheerleader and involved in many activities including the Etiquette club. Because of her love for helping others, Cam served as a Candy Striper at St. Francis Hospital while in high school. Upon graduation, she worked at New York Bell in Buffalo, Olean, and Bolivar. She and her family lived in Lawrenceville, IL from 1956 to 1968. After returning to Bolivar, she refurbished the house at 131 Friendship Street. Passersby of the Davis Street sun porch marveled at her green thumb, even in winter. Actually, her thumb was of the silk variety! She eventually joined the staff at the Allegany County Courthouse in Belmont and spent several years as the warm and welcoming courthouse information receptionist where her professionalism and kindness left a lasting mark on so many people. She continued her career with Allegany County working for the Office of Aging as well as the Sheriff’s Department as a Civil Law Clerk. She was a member of the NY State Deputies Association and successfully completed several of their civil law institutes before retiring in 1993. Cam, always remembered for her style, fashion, and grace, also worked at the 5,7, & 9 Dress Shop in Allegany, NY and as the hostess at Johnston’s Hilltop Restaurant. Cam enjoyed travel and could often be seen motoring in her 1969 Ford Mustang. In retirement, she stayed busy. She worked at a golf course in Florida, babysat neighbor’s children, and helped care for her grandchildren when they were young. They loved their fun Nonny! Cam’s faith was of utmost importance and her commitment was inspirational. For many years, she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bolivar and a member of its Altar and Rosary Society. She served as a Eucharistic minister for St. Mary’s and other parishes where she belonged, and often hosted Divine Mercy events in her Boynton Beach home. Cam loved antiques and had a natural gift of decorating that was purely magical. She had an uncanny ability to make an old piece new again with her keen eye, paintbrush, imagination, and innate talent. Cam was blessed with a true servant’s heart. She cherished her family and her friends and touched so many lives because of her gracious personality, unconditional empathy, and loving ways.
She enjoyed adventures with many dear friends aka “partners in crime” including Mary Hungerford, Cathy Ryan, Jan Whiteman, Jeanne Stopha, Mary Crowley, Patty Lounsberry, Millie Dempsey, Beverly Bradley, Maureen Nagle, Bernice Hitchcock, Geraldine Parker, Todd Ryan, Barbara Holdridge, Peggy Stephens, and Phyliss Feely to name a few.
Thank you to Phyllis Green for her exceptional care of Cam; to Kathy Hogan for faithfully bringing communion and saying the rosary as well as the Divine Mercy with Cam; and to Jill Wesner and Helen Wall for helping while Cam lived with her family.
Feeling sad for their loss yet rejoicing for her new life are her children: Mary Beth Gray of Imperial Beach, CA; James Vincent Gray and John Michael Gray of Seal Beach, CA; and Tama Gray (Rick) Morgan of Lakeland, FL; grandchildren: Jesse Penton Morgan and Lilia Grace Morgan of Lakeland, FL; nieces and nephews: Stephen (Ruth) Spindler, Michael (Marilynn) Spindler, Kathy (Raphael) Willett, Ellen Spindler, Lowry (Mickey) Phelps, Ginny (Tom) Green, and Jerry (Melissa) Spindler all of Maryland and, Carol, Scott, and Dana Brown of California; several great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as the Covley family of Olean.
In addition to her parents and husband, Cam was predeceased by her five siblings who are now reunited with their dear “Mull” in Heaven: Quentin Brown, Justin “Mike” Brown, Mary Ann Spindler, Giles “Guy” Brown, and Marlene E. Brown; many Murphy aunts and uncles, including Katherine “Kitty” and Marie A. Murphy.
Visiting will take place at Casey, Halwig, & Hartle Funeral Home at 3128 Rt. 417 W, Olean, New York, 14760 on Friday, September 1, 2017, from 6 – 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at her childhood parish, The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, in Olean on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 10 am. Interment will be with her grandparents, parents, sister Marlene, uncles, and aunts at St. Bonaventure Cemetery following the Mass. A luncheon will be served in the Marion Bradley Centennial Hall after the services are completed. Memorials may be made to Mount Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, PO Box 100, West Clarksville, NY, 14786.
Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.
