Honor Cynthia V. Gray

Senate Resolution No. 3107 BY: Senator PARKER MOURNING the death of Cynthia V. Gray, family matriarch, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Cynthia V. Gray died on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at the age of 79; and WHEREAS, Cynthia Veronica Gray was born on April 19, 1940, to Sydney Madho and Evelyn (Wallace) Salmon in Duckensfield, St. Thomas, Jamaica, West Indies; on September 28, 1960, she married her husband, Kensley Roy Gray, Sr., and together, they migrated to the United States in 1970, and settled in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush where they raised six sons; and WHEREAS, Cynthia V. Gray loved fiercely and taught her sons to respect family and encouraged them to live within their means; she valued the importance of being self-sufficient and taught her boys many lifelong skills; and WHEREAS, Cynthia V. Gray, affectionately known by her husband as Cynti, was also a skilled cook and baker, who was always happy to share a meal and a slice of her famous black cake with her friends and neighbors; she baked the wedding cakes for all of her sons who got married and organized the food for all of their guests, and with these talents, dreamt of owning her own catering business; and WHEREAS, For over 30 years, Cynthia V. Gray worked as a nurse's aide with Beth Israel Medical Center; after her much-deserved retirement, she and her husband moved to McKinney, Texas, in 2006, and became a faithful member of St. Mark Baptist Church, "The Mark"; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by her parents; son, Kensley Gray, Jr.; granddaughter, Katara; and 10 brothers and sisters, Albert, Daisey, Marcia, Philbert (Barber), Clarence, Hortensia (Utty), Emurdie, Earle, Christie, and Denzel; Cynthia V. Gray is survived by her husband of 59 years, Kensley Gray; five sons, Donovan (Sherran), Garfield (Salian), Steve, Hector (Bridgette), and Carl; nine grandchildren, Nicole, Joel, Renneth, Danielle, Alexander, Sasha, Elliott, Nicholas and Marcellus; three great-grandchildren, Daisha, Zion and Avery; and five brothers and sisters, Minnicent (Millicent), Faye, Loraine, Priestnell and Livingston; as well as numerous other family members and friends who will long cherish her memory; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Cynthia V. Gray leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Cynthia V. Gray, family matriarch, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Cynthia V. Gray.