Helen Gray

Helen L. Wales-Gray, 89, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Elizabeth Manor Nursing Home in Binghamton.

Born October 3, 1927, in Bainbridge, Helen was the daughter of Charles G. and Ethel May (Ashley) Bilby. She was a graduate of Greene High School.

With her first husband, George “Dick” Meade, and second husband, Roger Wales, she raised seven children. She was also predeceased by her third husband Thomas Gray, who died in 2006. She was a devoted mother who loved each of her children dearly, and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. Helen also very recently became a great-great-grandmother.

Helen worked at the Norwich Knitting Mills (later, Champion Sportswear) and McLaughlin’s department store. She worked at both places for many years.

Helen is survived by her children Dwight (Diane) Meade, of Oxford, Kenneth Wales, of Palmyra, NY, Diane (James) Talley, of Midlothian, VA, Stephen (Laurie) Wales, of the South New Berlin, Barbara (Charles) Brancato, of Greene, Dawn (Joseph) Maiurano, of Norwich, and Alice (Jody) Zakrevsky, of Chenango Bridge; grandchildren Scott Meade, Robin Smith, Jennifer Hairfield, Carey Frady, Ashley Rhodes, Sunny Crawford, Sarah Wales, Theresa Brancato-Folster, Lindsay Gross, Peter Maiurano, Amy Maiurano-Rand, Jason Gray, and Michael Gray; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her infant son, Donald C. Meade, and sisters, Dorothy Bilby and Evelyn Neubauer, and grandson, Joseph Maiurano.

A memorial service for Helen will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2017, at the Wilson Funeral Home, where the Rev. David Spiegel will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Sylvan Lawn Cemetery in Greene, NY. There will be a luncheon following the cemetery service at the Norwich Fire Station.

Contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the First Floor, Elizabeth Church Manor Nursing Home, 863 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905.