SOUTHAMPTON: Carolyn Martha (Loescher) Gray, 84, (1936 – 2021) of Southampton – Jesus came and took Carolyn by the hand and brought her before her heavenly father as all the saints of heaven welcomed her home on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Carolyn was born in Holyoke, MA and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Martha (Schneider) Loescher.
Carolyn graduated from Holyoke High School in 1954, where she met her future husband, Norman R. Gray. They married on May 12, 1956 at First Lutheran Church in Holyoke. Carolyn worked 13 years as a bookkeeper at Wilcox Insurance, was a member of the First Lutheran Church, member and past president of the Ladies Guild, as well as the Mid-Valley Zone Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) New England District. In earlier years, she was past president of both the Hampshire County Mother of Twins Club, and the Hampton Ponds Women’s Club. Her passion was her family.
In addition to her husband, Norman, Carolyn is survived by her six children, Debra LaBombard of Southampton, Norman R. Gray, Jr. of Southampton, Christopher (Diane) Gray of South Carolina, Jennifer (Clifford) Forrett of Westfield, Leslie (James) Moes of Southampton, and Jonathan Gray and partner Sandra Goss of North Carolina. She also leaves behind her brother Kenneth Loescher (Karen) of Windsor, CT, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, three nephews, and many cousins. In addition to her parents, Carolyn was predeceased by her brother Richard Loescher and her grand-daughter Jessica Lynn Gray.
Services will be at First Lutheran Church, 1810 Northampton Street, Holyoke on Saturday, June 12. The viewing will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 10 a.m., with the committal to follow at Forestdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Lutheran Church and School or LWML. The Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
