Patsy Mae (Pat) Gray May 31, 1937 – Feb. 6, 2021


Patsy Mae (Pat) Gray

      Patsy Mae (Pat) Gray, 83, of Mount Vernon, died Saturday morning, Feb. 6, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Services will be held at a later date in Colebrook, N. H. Burial will be at Saint Brendan Cemetery in Colebrook. Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids is serving the family.

      Pat was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother “Grammie”, sister, aunt and girlfriend. She is survived by her husband, Gerald; daughter, Mary Theresa Gray of Mount Vernon; two sons, Kevin (Diane) Gray of Monticello, and Joe (Denise) Gray of Dunkerton; her ten grandchildren, Jacob, Grayce, Katherine, David, Hannah, Chloe, Sophie, Charlotte, Mary and Joey; and her adorable, albeit neurotic Sheltie, Pete. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Francis Gray, and siblings Jackie (Charles) Betzer; brothers, Larry (Shirley) Coons and William (Sharon) Coons; sisters-in-law Dorothy Coons and Julia Coons; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many cherished family members and friends throughout New England and in the Columbia Bridge valley.

      Born on May 31, 1937, in Marion, Pat was the daughter of Don (Austin) and Mary Louise (Munier) Coons, and graduated from Viola High School in 1955 where she played basketball. She married Gerald Richard Gray on Oct. 26, 1963, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Pat was a former collections agent in Hartford, Conn., and employed by Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids for 19 years.

      Pat was born and raised on a family farm on North Alburnett Road in Marion, and grew up riding horses. She met the love of her life, Gerald, at the Armar Ballroom in Marion, when he was in town on a business trip. They danced the night away and for the next 55 years, if there was music playing, they were dancing. After their wedding, they resided in Windsor Locks, Conn., where they started their family and lived for several years before Gerald was transferred to Cedar Rapids with Link-Belt Company. Pat went back to work at Collins Radio Company before staying at home to raise her three children while Gerald traveled extensively internationally. Everyone who entered their home was welcomed by Pat with open arms and offered a seat at the kitchen table for a cup of coffee or glass of wine. In 1983, Gerald was transferred again to Lexington, Ky., where they resided until his retirement in 1992 before returning to Iowa and settling on their acreage in Mount Vernon.

      Family and friends were always top priority to Pat. If there was a wedding, birthday, graduation or anniversary, she and Gerald were there, regardless of where it was; they often traveled across the U.S. to attend. Faith was equally important to Pat. As members of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, a weekly highlight for she and Gerald was attending Rosary Group with their treasured friends to reminisce about years past.

      In early November 2020, Pat had an accident and sustained multiple severe injuries followed by medical complications over the past three months. Her family extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for its medical expertise and professional attention to detail during her care, while respecting her wishes with compassion.

      Pat taught us several life lessons:  1)love unconditionally - always; 2)take care of yourself – exercise and eat healthy but sometimes eat your dessert first; 3)forgive – let go of your ego and open your heart.

      Pat will be greatly missed by her family, friends and sales associates at Von Maur who enjoyed her shopping visits. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Donna Timm and brothers, Robert (Bob) and Randy Coons.

      Instead of flowers or gifts, the family asks everyone to show a random act of kindness in Pat’s memory and always be kind to animals.

       Online condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com. A Celebration of Life will be held in Marion and the funeral Mass will be held in Colebrook, both in June. Details will be posted here when available.

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