BUCKSPORT – Neilia C. (Churchill) Gray, 71, died April 29, 2005, at her home, after a 10 year battle with Leukemia. She was born Jan. 17, 1934, in South Penobscot, the daughter of Neil E. and Evelyn B. (Barker) Churchill. Neilia worked for many years at Merrill Trust and Key Bank. In between, she also filled in at the Bucksport Town Office, was a Bucksport Town Council secretary, and worked as a part-time dispatcher for Bucksport. She enjoyed life to it’s fullest. She loved knitting, gardening, playing cards, and being greatly involved with the Elm Street Congregational Church. Neilia’s greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with her mother and her family. All though she didn’t have any grandchildren of her own, she was well known for her love of children and being a grandmother to many. Neilia ‘s smile and positive outlook will be missed by all who knew her. Neilia is survived by her husband of 47 years, Alvin R. Gray of Bucksport; her son, Todd Gray and his wife, Karen, of Keene, N.H.; her daughter, Heidi Shorey and her fianc?, Michael Golding, of Bucksport; her mother, Evelyn (Barker) Churchill of Orland; her sister-in-law, Nellie Closson of Winterport; several aunts, uncles, cousins; many very special friends. Neilia was predeceased by her father, Neil Churchill; her daughter, Trudy Lynn Gray. Visitation for family and friends will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2005, at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, at the Elm Street Congregational Church, Bucksport, with the Rev. Linda Smith officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Orland. A gathering of conversation and refreshment will follow at Brown Hall. Donations in Neilia’s memory may be made to The Elm Street Congregational Church, P.O. Box 878, Bucksport, ME 04416 or to Hancock County Homecare Hospice, P.O. Box 156, Water St., Blue Hill, ME 04614.
NEILIA C. (CHURCHILL) GRAY
