Barbara Mae (Sweetland) Gray, 94, died peacefully on the morning of November 29, 2023, at her home in Pawtucket, RI. During her brief illness she received visits from many of her family and friends. Barbara was born in Pawtucket on December 14, 1928, the daughter of George T. Sweetland and Mary A. Wharton, and lived her entire life in the city. She graduated from Pawtucket East High School in 1946, married William A. (Gus) Gray, Jr., in 1952, and raised a family of six children. Although she stayed home to raise her children, she also worked for many years, first with the New England Telephone Company and later with the Pawtucket School Department.

Barbara's involvement with her community lasted nearly her entire life. She was an active member of St. Teresa Church, the Mothers Club of St. Teresa School, and later the Seniors Club at St Teresa. She also was a State Democratic Committee Member, a Ward 3 Committee Member, a City of Pawtucket Purchasing Board Member, and campaigned for many of Pawtucket's council members and mayors as well as state and federal candidates. She was especially proud of how appreciated politicians such as Patrick Kennedy and Sheldon Whitehouse made her feel.

Another of Barbara's passions was sports. She especially loved "her" Patriots, and was a PawSox season ticket holder until they disappointed her by moving to Worcester. "Paws" the mascot even attended her 90th birthday celebration, much to the delight of the many great-grandchildren in attendance.

Barbara had a gift for making people feel accepted and comfortable, and she received the love of many in return. Wherever she went Barbara ran into so many people she knew that even the briefest of errands was never truly brief.

Barbara is survived by four of her children, Patricia (Martin Willard) of Arlington, VA, Debra Keough (Daniel) of Pawtucket, William III (Gail O'Sullivan) of Fairhaven, MA, and Douglas (Nelsy) of Ladson, SC, twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Gus and her children Gary (Jean) and Kerry Campanelli.

We will all miss her.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, December 4th at 10:00 AM in Saint Teresa Church, 358 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. Visiting hours will be held Sunday on December 3rd from 2:00-5:00 PM in the Manning-Heffern-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) , PO Box 5021, Hagerstown MD, 21741, would be greatly appreciated.