We Remember
GRAY, Maria-Elena
June 1, 1948 — July 13, 2026
It is with great love and sadness that we announce the loss of Maria-Elena Gray, who passed away suddenly on July 13, 2026, in Kelowna, BC, at the age of 78.
Maria-Elena Gray was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, to Roberto Mendoza and Adela Marrón Calderón. As a young woman, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. She studied abroad in Oxford, travelled throughout Europe, and taught English in Mexico before making Canada her home in 1984. She married Grant Gray in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1985, and welcomed her daughter, Dianne, in London, Ontario, in 1987. After briefly living in Ontario and in several communities in British Columbia, she spent the last twenty-five years of her life in Kelowna.
Maria-Elena was the second youngest of five siblings—Adela, Martha, Roberto, Cristina, and herself—and the last surviving member of her family. She leaves behind her daughter, Dianne Gray; her nieces and nephew, Jesse, Leslie, and Roberto Mendoza; and many dear friends who became like family over the years, including Beatriz Yolanda Ruiz Zepe, the late Gaby de la Mora de Fischer, Ana Rosa Arce de Macías, Elaine and Ken Warkentin, and Arden Rymerson. In the last few years of her life, she also found a wonderful community at the CNIB, where she made many new friends and always looked forward to their gatherings.
Anyone who knew Maria-Elena knew how easy it was to become her friend. She had a big heart, loved meeting people, was always cheerful, and could strike up a conversation almost anywhere. She was a wonderful mother who always put her daughter first and never stopped caring for the people around her. She loved interacting with babies and children and would often make conversation with their parents, telling them how wonderful and beautiful their own children were. She loved to babysit throughout her life, and also did some work as an educational assistant and in daycares. She loved telling stories, teaching Spanish, learning languages, keeping on top of the latest news, and satisfying her endless curiosity about history, medicine, nature, and just about anything else that caught her interest. She especially loved orchestral music, watching crime, disaster, and mystery movies, and animals. Throughout her life she opened her home to stray pets that needed someone to care for them. One of her more interesting animal rescues occurred when she brought in two injured pigeons she found in town and nursed them back to health in her bathroom before finding them a new home.
We will remember Maria-Elena for her kindness and compassion, her love of children and animals, her curiosity, and her contagious enthusiasm for life. She leaves behind many happy memories and will be deeply loved and missed by all who knew her.
A Memorial Service will be held of Friday, August 7, 2026, at 2:00 pm, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, with Kim Bergstrom officiating. Reception to follow.
If you would like to attend, CLICK HERE TO RSVP.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
Friday, August 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home



Dearest Dianne,
Our hearts go out to you for the profound loss of your mother. She had such a bright mind and was a lively conversationalist. She had incredible knowledge of the world and was thoughtful on every subject. Her greatest joy was you. She was very proud of you in all your accomplishments and who you are as a person. The bond between you two was truly special. You showed her great love and care over the years and no mother could have been more blessed.
Maria was a valued contributor to our monthly CNIB Peer Support Meetings. She always had a positive attitude and gave
valuable input to the group. She was a pleasure to interact with, and will be sorely missed. My condolences to Dianne and her nieces and nephew.