Blanche Clara Gray

Blanche Clara Gray

March 3, 1932 – January 23, 2022

Blanche Clara Gray
March 3, 1932 – January 23, 2022

Blanche C. Gray (née Townsend), 89 years, of W. Berlin NJ, passed away on January 23, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Robert N. Gray for 61 years and loving companion of the late Rober P. Voorhees for 3 years. Loving mother of Karen (Albert) Crittenden, Paula (Daniel) Michalak, Edith (Stanley) Misiak and Laura (Al) Afflerbach. Cherished grandmother of Melissa (David) Fanelli, Holly (Paul) Gibbs, Seth (Nicole) Crittenden, Tara (Frank) Arico, Daniel (Angeline) Michalak, John (Taylor) Michalak, Andrea (Zack) Strickland, Suzanne (Alex) Hayman, Gregory Misiak, Sarah (Daniel) MacDonald, Erica (Ryan) Burke, Keith (Erin) Russell, Joshua (Sarah Pritchard) Russell, Alex Afflerbach, Samuel Afflerbach and Brickus Afflerbach and great grandmother of Lauren (Anthony) McAlister, Delan Gibbs, Mae Gibbs, Mabel Crittenden, Octavia Crittenden, Frank Arico, Jonah Michalak, Avery Michalak, Nora Michalak, Zeke Strickland, Matthew Strickland, Eli Strickland, Mark Strickland, H. Rose Hayman, Zachary MacDonald, and Brennan Russell and Benjamin Russell and great great grandmother of Anthony and Brooke McAlister. Dear sister of the late Walter Seth Townsend (the late Harriet) and sister in law of Dolly Sirolli.

Blanche graduated from Lower Camden County Regional High School class of 1950 and was involved in planning many of the class reunions. She was an avid genealogist and authored several family tree books.

She was involved in many activities during her life which included bowling, going to the gym, tennis and golf. Later in life she attended Clementon Senior Citizen Club, where she played pinochle. She jumped at any opportunity to travel domestically and abroad and loved seeing new sites and visiting family and friends. Blanche and her husband Bob enjoyed square dancing and round dancing in their middle ages, traveling to multiple square dance conventions where they collected several trophies. She attended East Berlin Community Church starting at the of 3. Blanche enjoyed climbing trees even into her 80’s.

Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she always made that special. Everyone looked forward to her famous Christmas pinwheels. In her spare time she also enjoyed doing puzzles, working in her flower gardens, reading and running her model trains.

Blanche survived breast cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma. She was a valiant fighter and was a role model to all those that knew her. Her third and final bout with cancer was incurable but that did not take away her spunk.

Most of all Blanche cherished spending time with her family (4 daughters and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren!).

Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Saturday January 29, 2022 from 9:30AM to 11:00AM at the COSTANTINO-PRIMO FUNERAL HOME, 231 W. WHITE HORSE PIKE, BERLIN NJ 08009. Funeral service 11:00 am at the funeral home. Interment in Berlin Cemetery, Berlin NJ. There will be a live stream of the funeral service starting at 10:50AM, please follow this link to join. https://costantinoprimofh.com/186/Home.html

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Samaritan Hospice at PO Box 71425, Philadelphia PA 19146 would be appreciated. To leave lasting condolences or photos, please use the links on this page. https://costantinoprimofh.com/186/Home.html

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.