Gray, Rosemarie Charette (86)

In loving memory of Rosemarie Catherine Charette Gray (née Meilleur) who passed away peacefully at Health Sciences North on Sunday, August 4, 2024. She is now reunited with her angel Louise.

Born in Rouyn, Québec on February 21, 1938 to the late Azilda Belanger and Earl Meilleur, Rosemarie was predeceased by husbands Normand Charette and Elvin Gray. She is the loving mother of André Charette of Kitchener, Nicole Charette of Sudbury and Louise Charette (predeceased); the proud grandmother of Alexander and Katherine; the beloved sister of Diane Merwin (Ben predeceased), Carol-Anne Meilleur-Dugal (Ron predeceased) and Ron Meilleur (predeceased); and the loving aunt of Anne-Marie and Peter Stevenson. She treasured her friendship with Margaret Leask, Doreen Leblanc and Marian Dempster. Anna Barsanti, Leila and Bailey also held a special place in her heart.

Mom overcame many challenges over the years, becoming a role model for resilience. She was a survivor who believed that hard work made you lucky. Beyond her career at Memorial Hospital, where she served as secretary in the Engineering Department, her family meant the world to her.  “I try my best”, she would say, and encouraged her children and grandchildren to “try your best” each and every day.

She particularly enjoyed sharing in her grandchildren’s accomplishments. She was grateful to André and Janet for enriching her life with Alex and Katherine. She lived long enough to watch them grow into caring, compassionate, independent, creative and confident young people who live their life with purpose and passion. She was proud to have mastered the art of texting them, ending each message with Love Grandma and her emoji signature - a heart and a rose.

The family would like to thank her personal support workers, service providers and healthcare professionals who respected her dignity, made her feel valued, and enhanced her quality of life. Mom tried her best to the very end, beating the odds time and time again. The kindness and comfort of family and friends nurtured her. Her deep faith and inner strength sustained her. She leaves a legacy of grace and gratitude. May she rest in eternal peace.

Visitation will take place at La Paroisse Ste-Anne-des-Pins (St. Anne’s Church), 14 Beech Street in Sudbury, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 9:30 am. A memorial service will follow at 10 am. Donations to the Northern Cancer Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Rainbow District School Board Joan Mantle Music Trust would be greatly appreciated.