RANGELEY – Brenda Jean Gray, 60, of Rangeley, died of natural causes at the home of her mom, in Rangeley, on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

She was born Oct. 22, 1948, in Farmington, the daughter of the late Sherwin and Elaine (Ross) Hinds. She and her foster brother, Monty Oakes, were raised by their aunt and uncle, Arthur and Evelyn Oakes, whom she loved as mom and dad. She graduated from Rangeley High School, and in 1994 married Thomas Gray.

For many years, she was employed at the Oquossoc House and the Rangeley Inn. She also worked as a certified nurses assistant in Strong and Farmington nursing homes. Her great love for children lead her in the direction of working as a home day care provider for a number of years.

She is survived by her best friend and husband, Thomas Gray, of Sandy River Plantation; two sons, Lee Steward and his wife, Kathy, and their three sons, Alex, Austin and Nicholas “Nicky,” all of Neenah, Wis.; a son, Christopher Steward of South Carolina; her mother, Evelyn Oakes of Rangeley; and her foster brother, Monty Oakes of Virginia Beach, Va. She was predeceased by her natural born parents; and her adopted father, Arthur Oakes in 2002.