Obituary of Phyllis M. Cray

Bangor and Harmony - Phyllis M. Cray, 89, passed away on March 8, 2020 at Westgate Manor in Bangor. Phyllis was born on Jan. 2, 1931 in Charleston, Maine, the third child of Ada Maude (Barker) and Freeman Augustus Cray. Phyllis was a hard worker beginning her long work history picking potatoes in Aroostook County as a very young girl and finally settling into a retail career for over 25 years. (Freese’s Department Store and lastly at Porteous). She enjoyed reading, puzzles, knitting and sewing and was a talented quilter. Phyllis provided beautiful quilts to many family members. Phyllis is predeceased by her parents; husbands Ralph Kimball, Robert Gifford and Raymond Arnold; sister, Barbara Kelly; brothers, Zane and Albert Cray; two step-daughters as well as her beloved son, Howard Freeman Gifford who passed away on July 23, 2019. She is survived by her daughter, Rose-Marie (Kimball) and her husband, Richard Stolkner; 5 grandchildren, Donna and husband Steve Imgrund, Michael Pauly, Stephanie and her husband Robert Jones, Holly and her husband, Gus Hartford, Howard and his wife, Brandy Gifford, Jr.; 11 great grandchildren, Zach and his wife, Tori Jones, Rick Jones and his fiancée, Kate Hessert, Brooke Jones, Rhianna Walker, Myles Walker, Hailee Hartford, Avah Hartford, Ashley Gifford, Victoria Gifford, Daryl Gifford and Anthony Gifford; 1 great great granddaughter, Ariya Jones and a great great grandson soon to arrive; 3 sisters, Lois Kimball, Joan Braley and Helen Libby and a sister-in-law, Louise Cray; 3 step children, Don, Gloria and John Arnold; n umerous nieces and nephews; 2 special nieces, Brenda McNeal and Cindy Kelly. Rose wishes to thank Beacon Hospice for their care and guidance through a difficult time and to the Westgate staff you became my mom’s family. You gave her comfort, security, respect and most of all LOVE. Burial will be at the North Road Cemetery in Harmony, Maine at a later date.