Remembering Sr. Ann Gray, DW, 7/25/1935 - 7/28/2025
Sr. Ann Elizabeth Gray, 90, known in religious life as Sr. Ann Catherine of Our Lady, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson, NY. Sister was born on July 25, 1935, in New York, NY, to Philip and Kate (Keane) Gray. Sr. Ann was an only child whose life became closely connected to the lives of the Fergus Family. She devoted her life to education and advocated for justice in every form as a Daughter of Wisdom, entering religious life on July 31, 1953. She made her first profession on February 2, 1955, and her final vows on August 2, 1960. Sister celebrated her 70th Jubilee on February 2, 2025.
Sr. Ann received her foundational education at Saint Margaret School in Middle Village, Queens, NY, and Our Lady of Wisdom Academy in Ozone Park, NY, before continuing her studies at St. John's University, where she majored in Secondary Education English and obtained certifications in English and French. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Laval University in Quebec, where she earned a Master's degree in French Language/French Literature, to Hunter College in New York, where she earned a Master's in Theater Arts, and to St. John's University, NY, where she earned a Ph.D. in American Literature.
Her teaching career began in 1955 at Ecole Gedeon Ouimet in Montreal where she taught English to French Canadian students in grades 6-11. Having returned to the United States in 1959, Sr. Ann spent 3 years on the faculty of Our Lady of Wisdom Academy, Ozone Park, NY teaching both English and French. From 1962 – 1976 Sr. Ann was Chair of the Foreign Language Department at Christ the King High School, Middle Village, NY where she produced and directed several student theater productions. Then after 2 years as Chair of the English Department at Bishop Ford Regional High School, Brookly, NY, Sr. Ann served on the faculty of St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, NY during which time she directed the Alvernian Drama Society. Sister worked as a doctoral student at St. John's University in Jamaica from 1988 to 1992 and was an Adjunct English Professor at the University from 1992-2002.
Sr. Ann played an essential role in her community. She chaired the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee for the US Delegation and championed the Laudato Si movement. She brought to light and promoted the practice of a range of justice issues supporting sustainable environmental practices and participated in the Town's Keep Islip Clean program.
She held membership in various organizations, including the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Modern Language Association, the Conference on Christianity in Literature and the Elizabeth Bishop Society. She served on the boards of St. Mary Gate of Heaven School, Christ the King Regional High School, the Member Board of Catholic Health , and the St. Charles Hospital Foundation Board.
Her dedication to education and leadership earned her numerous awards and recognitions over her distinguished career. She received the NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association) grant award for a summer of study in language from Fairfield University in Connecticut. She was awarded on the 800th anniversary of St. Francis for her excellence in Theater Arts at St. Francis Prep. She was recognized for her service on Christ the King High School's board and was a recipient of the Doctoral Teaching Fellowship at St. John's University. Most recently, she was named volunteer of the month by the Long Island Immigration Clinic in Brentwood, NY.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sr. Ann was deeply involved in theological and educational development. Sister served as the Provincial of the US Province of the Daughters of Wisdom for two terms from 2006 to 2014. She shared her organizational talents with the international body, preparing processes for the 2006 Daughters of Wisdom Chapter Gathering in Rome and developing liturgy and celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the Congregation's founding.
Sr. Ann had a zest for life that extended beyond her professional endeavors. Her passions for language, literature, and the arts enriched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and strangers. She contributed reflections for the Daughters of Wisdom's "Fire In Our Hearts" ministry and was a coordinator and speaker for the Wisdom Conversations ministry. Sister participated in grassroots movements, was active in various volunteer roles, and served as a translator and note-taker for the Long Island Immigration Clinic, Brentwood, NY. Additionally, Sister was a great letter writer but also advocated for rights in action by participating in awareness rallies and often visiting the local congressman's office to advocate for the rights of all people, most especially the poor, immigrants, women, children, and people with disabilities. Sister was a justice warrior.
Sr. Ann leaves behind a legacy of compassion, knowledge, and faith that inspired many. She will be fondly remembered by her community, colleagues, students, and all whose lives she touched. Her contributions to education and service will resonate for generations to come.
A Tribute to Sr. Ann Gray from Executive Director Sr. Janet Kinney, CSJ and the Long Island Immigration Clinic Team
It is with sadness that we share the passing of Sister Ann Gray, DW, a dedicated volunteer at the Long Island Immigration Clinic for the past three years – in fact, since its inception!
Very early on in the creation of the immigration clinic, Sister Ann expressed her great interest in this new ministerial work and connected LIIC with the Daughters of Wisdom special grant fund that provided some of the seed funding for this budding new ministry. Soon after, Sister Ann came to one of the first volunteer trainings, and she became part of a growing cadre of individuals who help prepare asylum applications for filing in immigration court for the many individuals who come knocking at LIIC’s doors.
Sister Ann participated in afternoon and evening clinic sessions as a note taker and was assigned to numerous cases. Because she had a fluency in French, she was also able to translate documents as needed for those seeking asylum from Haiti, where most government documents are written in French.
Sister Ann had a quiet and calming way with the women and men she worked with, to include the immigrant friends, fellow volunteers, and LIIC staff. She was a great mentor to new volunteers, giving gentle guidance when needed, so that the end result would be as compelling and complete application as possible for presentation in court. I learned only after her passing, that at the completion of each case, Sister Ann would ask the interpreter (since most cases were conducted in Spanish) if she might say a prayer over them – blessing them as they moved forward in the next steps of their journey, and assuring them of the care and the support of all at the clinic.
I also learned from her Daughter of Wisdom friends that spending time at the immigration clinic gave Sister Ann great joy and purpose. Sister Ann’s illness moved rather rapidly, and we became only aware of this in early June. Sister Ann was determined to complete the last case she was working on, which in fact she did, on June 25th ! That very evening, she entered Good Samaritan Hospital and was later moved to hospice care at Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson on July 25th. Sister Ann entered into the fullness of God’s grace on the evening of July 28th.
On the video collage further below, (Above) which was created for her 70th Jubilee as a Daughter of Wisdom, is this quote:
“Do everything out of love and with love.”
This has been the essence of Sister Ann's life. Rest in Peace, dear friend – while you will be missed, we will trust in your prayers for us and all the immigrants you served so well.
Sister Janet & the LIIC Team
Fr. Tom Poth, Fr. Matthew Considine, and Fr. James Donovan, pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Oceanside, N.Y., presided over the funeral mass for Sr. Ann Gray, DW. Both Montfort fathers had a long relationship with Sr. Ann, and Fr. Donovan knew Sr. Ann from their days as educators at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, NY.
Reflection for the Funeral Mass of Sr. Ann Gray, DW
I had the privilege of being with Sr. Ann during the last weeks of her journey among us – and I had a sense of carrying with me all who love her so dearly – each of you here this morning and those at a distance.
As I have been reflecting on those days at Good Samaritan Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospice, there is a refrain from a country music song by Alan Jackson that keeps coming back to me:
“Precious memories, how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul.
In the stillness of the midnight,
Precious, sacred scenes unfold.”
As we face the so unexpected and very painful loss of dear Ann’s presence among us, I believe there is a power in the precious memories we hold, for they are indeed sacred, and they do flood our souls with GRACE!
And there are indeed many memories of Sr. Ann Catherine, Sr. Ann Gray, Annie Gray, and simply Ann dear.
In 1993, as we celebrated the Beatification of Marie Louise Trichet, co-foundress of the Daughters of Wisdom, Ann wrote a short play highlighting Marie Louise’s experience of Lady Wisdom – and as many of us recall, Ann herself so meaningly portrayed Lady Wisdom, the image of our gracious God.
As I remember the sacred scenes of Ann’s life, it seems apparent that she clearly embodied many faces of Lady Wisdom for us.
Lady Wisdom, Holy Wisdom, is a Teacher.
Countless are the students Sr. Ann taught at Ecole Gedeon Ouimet in Montreal, Canada; at St. Mary Gate of Heaven and Our Lady of Wisdom Academy in Ozone Park; at Christ the King HS in Middle Village; Bishop Ford HS in Brooklyn, and St. Francis Prep and St. John’s UN in Queens.
Beyond her formal teaching, we recognize the valuable life lessons that Ann radiated in her very person: kindness, compassion, perseverance, determination, and steadfast faith in the goodness of each person she encountered.
Lady Wisdom, Holy Wisdom, is the source of Creation.
How many are the expressions of creativity with which Ann has gifted us ? The High School plays she produced and directed, the poetry she composed, and the clever Irish wit she managed to include- ever so aptly – in the many presentations she delivered over the years.
Lady Wisdom, Holy Wisdom, is a Nurturer, and She delights in the children of humanity!
How often Annie Gray shared the joys and the pain of life with her dear Fergus family, as well as with young women discerning their life’s choice, and - of course – with her Sisters as Provincial and as their sister in community.
Lady Wisdom, Holy Wisdom, cries out for Justice.
During her “retirement,” Ann so faithfully served as the Delegations’ Coordinator of JPIC (Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation). From the depths of her heart, she actively advocated for the rights of each and every person, most recently for the immigrants and those seeking asylum in our country.
Sr. Evelyn Eckhardt and Sr. Ann Gray – devoted longtime supporters of the New York Mets.
So many faces of Holy Wisdom – all precious memories to flood our souls.
And how wonderful that we are here this morning in the Chapel at Sr. Ann’s beloved St. Charles Hospital. We all know so well - for Sr. Ann, St. Charles is the best hospital on Long Island!
During these last weeks, as I prayed with Ann and played some of her favorite songs, I saw a depth in her eyes – even as her voice weakened – a depth that mirrored her contemplative soul. I believe -if she had had the chance- she would offer this blessing that fed her soul for each of you:
DEEP PEACE (A Gaelic Blessing)
Deep peace of the roaring wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour
their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
the light of the world to you.
Go in peace, dear Ann, and bring our love into paradise.
Sr. Evelyn Eckhardt, DW
August 5, 2025
Fr. Matthew Considine, SMM, pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Manorville, NY, knew Sr. Ann from their ministries together at Saint Mary Gate of Heaven, in Ozone Park, NY.