Christine Gray

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend to many, she loved good food, good music, and good company in equal measure. She was an engaging conversationalist and storyteller who reveled in classical music, opera, theatre, and time spent with friends and family. She was gracious and kind by nature; steadfastly supportive and proud of her two daughters; and especially proud of her two grandsons.

In the 1950’s, she trained at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as a nurse followed by midwifery training in Newcastle. In 1960, she travelled to Australia for a two year working holiday that stretched into five. She worked as a midwife in various small hospitals throughout New South Wales and Tasmania including one outback hospital in Moree where she met the love of her life, Eric, while on a date with his roommate.

They married on November 17, 1962 and embarked on a long and loving partnership lasting over 50 years. They raised two daughters together. They returned to Scotland from Australia in 1965 and immigrated to Canada in 1974, living in St. John’s NL for 30 years, and then moving to Halifax NS in 2004. Christine went to Memorial University of NL in the 1980’s and earned a Bachelor of Vocational Education followed by a Bachelor of Social Work. She then worked as a social worker in child protection until her retirement in 1996.

Throughout her life, she was an active member of her church wherever she lived serving in whatever capacity was needed, including participation on various committees and groups – the Atlantic Missionary Society, the Board of Managers, Girl Guides & Brownies, and most recently alternate elevator operator at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dartmouth.

She loved to travel with Eric, particularly on long Mediterranean and Transatlantic/ Transpacific cruises. She most enjoyed ones with lots of sea days providing opportunity to relax and indulge in her other favourite pastime, reading, murder mysteries in particular.

We extend a special thanks to all those who have supported Mum through her last days allowing her to stay at home; in particular Doctors Nandini Natarajan, David MacDonald, Jeffrey Dempster; Nurses with the Palliative Care Team Wanda Ferguson, Plinthie Sanford, Monica Flynn, Glenna Thornhill, and Jennifer Merlin; Northwood Home Care; the VON; as well as Henry and Mae Mews.

Christine is survived by her daughters Allison and Kate, son-in-law, Don and grandsons, Liam and Callum, brother Alan (Helen), sister Jean, nieces Joanne, Elizabeth (Colum), Sheena (Angus), Kathryn (Neil), nephews Jim (Jenni) and Bill (Carolyn), great-nieces Rachel (Graeme), Sarah (Paul), Deborah (Pete), Mairi (Joe), Teresa (Cass), and Nicole, great-nephews Paul (Vicky), Alistair, Stuart and Alex, as well as many close friends in all of the places she lived.

She was predeceased by her husband, Eric, parents William and Isabella Rutherford, brothers-in-law Jim and Bill, sisters-in-law Nan, Vera, and Nettie, and niece Jean.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax, B3S 0E1 (455-0531), Wednesday July 8 from 2-4 pm. A funeral service will be held in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, School St., Dartmouth on Thursday, July 9 at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, School St., Dartmouth, St. David’s Presbyterian Church, St. John’s, NL or to the Canadian Cancer Society.