Yvonne "Bonnie" C. Gray

It is with great sadness, we announce the death of Yvonne “Bonnie” C. (Arnold) Gray, 87, who passed on September 19^th, 2018 in Carmel, Indiana, with her loved ones by her side.

Bonnie was born in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania to Peter M. Arnold and Margaret H. Arnold on November 12, 1930.  She graduated from North Wales High School before going on to Penn State and then transferring to the University of Mississippi in Oxford, when her family relocated to Iuka, Mississippi.  It was in Iuka that she met Howard Gray and the two were married on December 30, 1950.   They then moved to St. Louis where Bonnie worked at Barnes Hospital while Howard attended Medical School.  After her husband graduated, they moved to Indianapolis where Bonnie worked for the Army Finance Center.  They then moved to Alabama and Mississippi where Bonnie received a Bachelor of Arts in both Sociology and Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.  They continued moving about the country to Indiana, Maryland, North Dakota, New Jersey and then back to Indiana where they finally settled down.  Her family had now grown to include 4 sons and a daughter.  They resided in Indianapolis for 8 years before moving to Westfield, Indiana where Bonnie would live out the the rest of her life.

Bonnie was a loving and caring mother, her family always came first.  While raising her 5 children, she was forever active, serving as both a member and officer in numerous community organizations.  When her boys were in cub scouts she served as their Den Mother.  She also worked in children’s television for the “Time for Timothy” television program and received the Timothy Award for outstanding service.  After her children were grown, she went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree from Butler University.  She then started a new career as a schoolteacher at Westfield Washington Elementary School, teaching 3^rd grade advanced.  She loved teaching and did this for many years, but when her family needed her, she decided to retire from teaching and help with her grandchildren.  Bonnie was always giving of herself.  During and after this time, she volunteered at the Westfield Public Library, assisting with various activities and fundraisers, and was a longstanding member and president of the Westfield Woman’s Club.

Over the years, Bonnie had many interests.  She loved raising and showing dogs.  She was an avid reader and created an extensive home library.  She was a bridge enthusiast and continued this pursuit through out her entire life.  She enjoyed RV camping and made it to all 50 states.  Bonnie was a big fan of Disney and there was nothing she liked more than going to Disney World.  She shared this love with all her grandchildren and took them with her on many occasions.  As the millennium approached, She was one of the primary organizers of a large Millennium Celebration at Disney World centered around 5 Indianapolis couples and all their family and friends. The event was such a tremendous success, that Disney CEO, Michael Eisner, put in a personal appearance.

Bonnie was an impressive woman with a keen intellect who positively impacted many lives.  She loved her family with all her heart as they all love her.  She will be forever loved and missed.

She is survived by three sons and their wives; Brad and Sylvia Gray, Dan and Leigh Gray, and Tim and Linda Gray, five grandchildren; Bryan Gray (Sarah), Sean Gray, Kelly Estridge (John), Lindsey Gray, and Sarah Spears(Josh), and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Gray, her son, Douglas Gray, her daughter Sharon Gray, her father, Peter Arnold, her mother, Margaret Arnold, her sister, Patricia Jett, her brother, Myron Arnold, and her great-granddaughter Gracie Gray.

Services will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel, 325 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN  46032 – Monday September 24^th – Visitation (11:30AM to 12:30PM) Service (12:30PM to 1:30PM)

Memorial Donations to Hamilton County Humane Society, Noblesville, Indiana