Jane ‘Annette’ Gray
1937 – 2025

Jane Annette “Ann-ette” Gray passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Innisfail, Alta., at the age of 88 years.

Annette was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. She never fought the disease but accepted it as a bump in life’s road. In the years following the diagnosis, Annette focused on the wonderful people and scenery around her. Her favourite pastime was writing. Between 2017 and 2025, she authored four new books to add to the six she had previously written.
Travelling was also a priority. She thought nothing of catching a flight on a moment’s notice, renting a car and then travelling solo or with family to England, Australia and various U.S. states, where she made a host of friends.

Annette was the daughter of immigrants from Southport, Lancashire, England, to William and Gertrude Lees, who operated the Carlos Post office in the home where Annette was born.

She met her husband, Dennis Cameron Gray, in September 1959, while she was teaching in Rocky Mountain House, Alta. At the time, he was working on seismic rigs. Theirs was a beautiful love story that lasted 51 years until Dennis’s death in 2010. Over the years, they owned and operated Gray’s Turbo and then Gray’s Auto Repair Ltd., while ranching over 700 acres, 10 miles west of Rocky Mountain House.

As snowbirds, they went south for 30 years and owned a home in Arizona, U.S., for 10 years.

Her family was extremely important to her. Each of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were recipients of afghans, she lovingly crocheted or knitted.

Annette is lovingly remembered by her children: Dennis (Terry) Gray, Debra (Trevor) Wynn, John Gray, Janet (Bart) Dornan and Curtis Gray. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Jessie (Shauna) Gray, Melissa (Tyler) Barry, Nicole Wynn, Megan (Jeffery) Hilstad, Santina Godin, Kayla Dornan and Brant Dornan; her great-grandchildren: Josephine, Brayden and Paul Hilstad, Kaytee Gray, Holden, Hanna, and Harper Barry; as well as her sisters: Evelyne Heringer and Doreen Thomsen.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in Annette’s honour to the Mustard Seed, 6002 - 54 Ave., Red Deer, Alta., T4N 4M8.

A celebration of Annette’s life will be held at the Fensala Hall, Markerville, Alta., on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.

Arrangements in care of Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alta., phone 403-227-0006.