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.