Evelyn Audrey Ramsden Gray, 98, of Indianapolis, IN passed away in her home peacefully surrounded with family members on April 22, 2022. She was born in Ayr, Australia in January 1924 to Henry James Marshall Ramsden and Evelyn May Powers Ramsden. Her parents and extended family were pioneers from Scotland and England coming to Australia to seek a better life. They settled in Home Hill, Australia where they became very successful sugar cane farmers.
Sadly, Evelyn's mother died giving birth to her. She was then raised by her mother's sisters. Alice and Ruby Powers initially in Home Hill and later in Brisbane, Australia.
In Brisbane, Evelyn attended Glen Abbey, an all girl Anglican boarding school. Evelyn liked to write essays, one of which was voted best essay of the year for all of Queensland. Evie loved writing, and later in life wrote and published a book, "Its Australia" which is loosely based on her life growing up in Australia during WW II and coming to America.
After high school, Evelyn worked with the Australian Red Cross helping soldiers in WW II. During one of their sponsored dances she met Donald E. Gray, a highly decorated American pilot, from Brownsburg, IN. Don became the love of her life. They married in Australia and traveled to America aboard a Navy ship.
Initially, the newlyweds lived in San Francisco and then later moved back to Don's hometown, Brownsburg, IN. The Indianapolis Star even did a feature article on Evelyn and don, titled "Home from the Wars...With an Aussie bride."
In Brownsburg, Evelyn was very involved in the community, serving multiple times as president of the PTA and president of the Psi Iota Xi charitable organization supporting communities in the fields of speech and hearing, art, music and literature. Evelyn was a member of Brownsburg Christian Church and also of Chapel Rock Christian Church. Evelyn enjoyed a wonderful and adventurous life. Her finest accomplishment however was her devotion to her family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Gray; her parents, Henry and Evelyn Ramsden; her sister Pam and her maternal aunts Alice and Ruby Powers. She leaves behind her 3 children and their spouses, Rod Gray (Jane), Trevor Gray (Jeannie), Pam Gray Maire-Query (Dennis); 6 grandchildren, Jamie De Witt (Bracken), Rodney Gray (Carla), Ashley Funk (Robert), Brian Maire (Lauren), spencer Gray (Alex), Dustin Gray; 8 great grandchildren, Audrey, Addy, and Alden De Witt, James and Cole Funk, and Isla and Rooney and Padme Gray; as well as numerous family members in Australia.
All family members will deeply miss Queen Evie who has been an important part of their lives. Her influence helping make each what they are today... A private memorial service will be held for immediate family only. Final arrangements will be handled by Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Indianapolis,
Sadly, Evelyn's mother died giving birth to her. She was then raised by her mother's sisters. Alice and Ruby Powers initially in Home Hill and later in Brisbane, Australia.
In Brisbane, Evelyn attended Glen Abbey, an all girl Anglican boarding school. Evelyn liked to write essays, one of which was voted best essay of the year for all of Queensland. Evie loved writing, and later in life wrote and published a book, "Its Australia" which is loosely based on her life growing up in Australia during WW II and coming to America.
After high school, Evelyn worked with the Australian Red Cross helping soldiers in WW II. During one of their sponsored dances she met Donald E. Gray, a highly decorated American pilot, from Brownsburg, IN. Don became the love of her life. They married in Australia and traveled to America aboard a Navy ship.
Initially, the newlyweds lived in San Francisco and then later moved back to Don's hometown, Brownsburg, IN. The Indianapolis Star even did a feature article on Evelyn and don, titled "Home from the Wars...With an Aussie bride."
In Brownsburg, Evelyn was very involved in the community, serving multiple times as president of the PTA and president of the Psi Iota Xi charitable organization supporting communities in the fields of speech and hearing, art, music and literature. Evelyn was a member of Brownsburg Christian Church and also of Chapel Rock Christian Church. Evelyn enjoyed a wonderful and adventurous life. Her finest accomplishment however was her devotion to her family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Gray; her parents, Henry and Evelyn Ramsden; her sister Pam and her maternal aunts Alice and Ruby Powers. She leaves behind her 3 children and their spouses, Rod Gray (Jane), Trevor Gray (Jeannie), Pam Gray Maire-Query (Dennis); 6 grandchildren, Jamie De Witt (Bracken), Rodney Gray (Carla), Ashley Funk (Robert), Brian Maire (Lauren), spencer Gray (Alex), Dustin Gray; 8 great grandchildren, Audrey, Addy, and Alden De Witt, James and Cole Funk, and Isla and Rooney and Padme Gray; as well as numerous family members in Australia.
All family members will deeply miss Queen Evie who has been an important part of their lives. Her influence helping make each what they are today... A private memorial service will be held for immediate family only. Final arrangements will be handled by Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Indianapolis,
Evelyn Audrey Ramsden Gray, 98, of Indianapolis, IN passed away in her home peacefully surrounded with family members on April 22, 2022. She was born in Ayr, Australia in January 1924 to Henry James Marshall Ramsden and Evelyn May Powers Ramsden. Her parents and extended family were pioneers from Scotland and England coming to Australia to seek a better life. They settled in Home Hill, Australia where they became very successful sugar cane farmers.
Sadly, Evelyn's mother died giving birth to her. She was then raised by her mother's sisters. Alice and Ruby Powers initially in Home Hill and later in Brisbane, Australia.
In Brisbane, Evelyn attended Glen Abbey, an all girl Anglican boarding school. Evelyn liked to write essays, one of which was voted best essay of the year for all of Queensland. Evie loved writing, and later in life wrote and published a book, "Its Australia" which is loosely based on her life growing up in Australia during WW II and coming to America.
After high school, Evelyn worked with the Australian Red Cross helping soldiers in WW II. During one of their sponsored dances she met Donald E. Gray, a highly decorated American pilot, from Brownsburg, IN. Don became the love of her life. They married in Australia and traveled to America aboard a Navy ship.
Initially, the newlyweds lived in San Francisco and then later moved back to Don's hometown, Brownsburg, IN. The Indianapolis Star even did a feature article on Evelyn and don, titled "Home from the Wars...With an Aussie bride."
In Brownsburg, Evelyn was very involved in the community, serving multiple times as president of the PTA and president of the Psi Iota Xi charitable organization supporting communities in the fields of speech and hearing, art, music and literature. Evelyn was a member of Brownsburg Christian Church and also of Chapel Rock Christian Church. Evelyn enjoyed a wonderful and adventurous life. Her finest accomplishment however was her devotion to her family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Gray; her parents, Henry and Evelyn Ramsden; her sister Pam and her maternal aunts Alice and Ruby Powers. She leaves behind her 3 children and their spouses, Rod Gray (Jane), Trevor Gray (Jeannie), Pam Gray Maire-Query (Dennis); 6 grandchildren, Jamie De Witt (Bracken), Rodney Gray (Carla), Ashley Funk (Robert), Brian Maire (Lauren), spencer Gray (Alex), Dustin Gray; 8 great grandchildren, Audrey, Addy, and Alden De Witt, James and Cole Funk, and Isla and Rooney and Padme Gray; as well as numerous family members in Australia.
All family members will deeply miss Queen Evie who has been an important part of their lives. Her influence helping make each what they are today... A private memorial service will be held for immediate family only. Final arrangements will be handled by Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Indianapolis,
Sadly, Evelyn's mother died giving birth to her. She was then raised by her mother's sisters. Alice and Ruby Powers initially in Home Hill and later in Brisbane, Australia.
In Brisbane, Evelyn attended Glen Abbey, an all girl Anglican boarding school. Evelyn liked to write essays, one of which was voted best essay of the year for all of Queensland. Evie loved writing, and later in life wrote and published a book, "Its Australia" which is loosely based on her life growing up in Australia during WW II and coming to America.
After high school, Evelyn worked with the Australian Red Cross helping soldiers in WW II. During one of their sponsored dances she met Donald E. Gray, a highly decorated American pilot, from Brownsburg, IN. Don became the love of her life. They married in Australia and traveled to America aboard a Navy ship.
Initially, the newlyweds lived in San Francisco and then later moved back to Don's hometown, Brownsburg, IN. The Indianapolis Star even did a feature article on Evelyn and don, titled "Home from the Wars...With an Aussie bride."
In Brownsburg, Evelyn was very involved in the community, serving multiple times as president of the PTA and president of the Psi Iota Xi charitable organization supporting communities in the fields of speech and hearing, art, music and literature. Evelyn was a member of Brownsburg Christian Church and also of Chapel Rock Christian Church. Evelyn enjoyed a wonderful and adventurous life. Her finest accomplishment however was her devotion to her family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Gray; her parents, Henry and Evelyn Ramsden; her sister Pam and her maternal aunts Alice and Ruby Powers. She leaves behind her 3 children and their spouses, Rod Gray (Jane), Trevor Gray (Jeannie), Pam Gray Maire-Query (Dennis); 6 grandchildren, Jamie De Witt (Bracken), Rodney Gray (Carla), Ashley Funk (Robert), Brian Maire (Lauren), spencer Gray (Alex), Dustin Gray; 8 great grandchildren, Audrey, Addy, and Alden De Witt, James and Cole Funk, and Isla and Rooney and Padme Gray; as well as numerous family members in Australia.
All family members will deeply miss Queen Evie who has been an important part of their lives. Her influence helping make each what they are today... A private memorial service will be held for immediate family only. Final arrangements will be handled by Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Indianapolis,
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