January 24, 2023
In loving memory ~
Pauline Marie Gray filled her life with dear friends, cherished animals, and intentional beauty. She was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, spent her early childhood in Vernon and attended high school at Ste. Anne's Academy in Kamloops. She moved to Vancouver in the early 1960s and worked as a real estate agent, was co-owner of a restaurant and managed the cocktail lounge at the Devonshire Hotel.
When she moved to her Madrona Drive residence in 1986, she quickly became known as a formidable chef who loved entertaining. Her Boxing Day parties were much anticipated by the neighbourhood. Friends treasured her invitations for tea and appreciated the interest and care she always took with their lives. In the last decade, as Pauline entered her 90's, she and two of her closest friends Nina Behrman and Gail Atkins, continued to look after one another: they checked in with each other early every morning.
Pauline loved animals. She initially had kennels that bred cocker spaniels, but later switched to Westies which became her long-time favourite breed. She also had a special affection for all the local birds and made sure, even in her final days, that the feeders were always filled.
She curated beauty. Pauline was a frequent traveller who visited the four corners of the globe, bringing back souvenirs that have prominently displayed on the walls and tables in her house. She was an avid gardener and kept a spectacular rose garden. She was also an ardent landscape painter and attended regular classes given by her mentor, Pauline Pike.
Pauline passed away surrounded by friends and family at her home on January 24th, 2023. She is predeceased by her husband, David Gray; her parents, Jeanette and Alphonse Auger; and her brother Roland. She is survived by nieces, Janice Szwarz and Sharon Stortini; cousins Lorraine Jaud, Barry Olsen, Andre & Tina Bouvier; and countless friends who will miss her dearly. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the SPCA.