Groton, VT-  Lona Libra Gray, 86, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, June 27, 2018,  at the Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, NH.

Lona was born on June 3, 1932, in Groton to Antonio and Ivis (Crown) Gandin.  She married Kenneth Gray who preceded her in death in 2014.   Together they lived on Blue Mountain and raised three daughters:  Kathleen, Colleen, and Patrice who met their husbands, Harry Crown, Gary Dennis and Chief Bogie, respectively and grew the Gray legacy:  11 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

To know Lona was to know that first, she was a hard worker.  She was always out in the field baling or in the barn milking.  She was a laborer, cleaning houses, hanging wall paper and serving senior meals.  There were always donuts, raspberry squares and kids in her home.  She hosted holiday meals that filled two rooms and she loved having everyone together.

Lona taught herself how to cut hair.  She groomed every baby that came along.  She also taught herself how to make cakes.  Her Italian wedding cakes became an expectation at every family wedding-just like the blankets she taught herself to crochet became a staple at every baby shower.

But what she was most proud of, was teaching herself something to do when the chores were done…that was to paint.  She painted flowers, childhood scenes, animals and people.  "Anyone can learn.  All you have to do is pick up a brush and do it," she said.  She was proud to share her art work at fairs and to give them away to family.  Her home is decorated with some of her favorites.

Lona lived her life faithfully and selflessly.  She loved and gave to everyone she knew, never expecting anything in return.  She said, "You do things without needing payment."

Her generosity leaves a legacy of strength and love for family.  Her spirit will always be on Blue Mountain, in the rolling fields and beautiful sunsets and in the hearts of those who had the privilege to be loved by her.

Lona is survived by her daughters, Kathleen "Kathie" Crown of McIndoe Falls, VT, Colleen Dennis and husband Gary and Patrice Bogie and husband Chief, both of Ryegate, VT; 11 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren; three sisters, Vilma Wright of Woodsville, Anita Mains of Elizabethtown, TN, and Donna McCaffrey of Yarmouthport, MA; two brothers, Allen L. Gandin of Groton and Gaylord J. "Butch" Gandin and wife Judy of South Ryegate, VT; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was also predeceased by her husband, Kenneth "John" Gray on May 20, 2014, she was predeceased by a grandson, Nicholas John Bogie on March 31, 2011, and her son-in-law, Harry Crown on February 1, 2015.

A memorial service will be on Monday, July 2, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of Groton, with Pastor Dennis Walton, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Groton Village Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Groton, PO Box 128, Groton, VT 05046 or to South Ryegate Senior Meals, c/o Mrs. Mary Lou Boyce, 1158 Tenny Pond Road, Wells River, VT 05081.