ELLSWORTH
On April 5, 2020, Linda Gray Marshall lay down her knitting needles for the last time, her body finally surrendering to the ravages of COPD. She was born in Ellsworth on June 11, 1943, to Melvin Gray and Marion Kemp (Gray) Goodwin.
Linda had a tough start in life, but, always the optimist, was grateful for all of her experiences, good or bad, because she felt they shaped her into a person she was eventually very proud of. Getting to that point, however, would require a lot of blood, sweat and tears, literally.
Besides her children, Linda was most proud of her sobriety. She would have celebrated 37 years next month. Her AA family was instrumental in her well-being, and she was forever grateful for them. She pursued an education in her 40s to help counsel those afflicted with addiction.
Linda was well known for her crafting and was a determined do-it-yourselfer before it became a part of pop culture. She would sit at a meeting (or in front of the TV) snapping away on her ever-present chewing gum, knitting needles clacking, and not even having to look at what she was doing! She traveled the world learning how to cook international dishes as a hobby, some well received, but she had a few picky eaters in her brood, and they didn’t appreciate it until they were much older. She was multi-talented.
Linda is survived by her loving family, daughter Laura and Martin Nason of Ellsworth and their daughters Erin of Orono and Ryanne and Mike and their children Laurel, Violet and Walker of Presque Isle. Daughter Honora Robidoux of Ellsworth and her children Jessica and Ron and their combined family of eight children including Hailie, Scott, Ava and Sophia of Bucksport, Jenna and Joey and their son Joseph of Ellsworth and Aaron and his son Alijah of Sullivan. Son Mikel McGowan of Portland, Ore., and daughter Jennifer Marshall and her partner Moe of Frankfort. As well as granddaughters Ashley and Alise. She is also survived by her brother Carl Gray and his partner Carolyn of Trenton, sisters Marie Clough of Ellsworth and Mollie and Jasper Carter of Hancock, and brother-in-law Paul Schnall of Surry. Plus many nieces and a few nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her Aunt Effie and Uncle Reuben who were her surrogate parents, husband Donald, son Donald “Dondi”, and brothers Phillip Gray and Joseph Swazey.
She will be sorely missed by her family and friends who loved her so much. In spite of the grief, there is a relief in knowing she is no longer in pain and the struggle for the simple breath is over.
A memorial service will be held by the family as soon as gatherings are allowed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth, where condolences may be shared with the family at www.bragdonkelley.com.