Obituary of Frances P. Gray

Frances P. Gray, a 60-year resident of Rye, died on April 3, 2017. Born Frances Walker Pratt on July 16, 1930 in Boston, Mass to Laurence O. Pratt and Frances Duncan (Weed) Pratt, Fay (as she was known), grew up in Dover, Mass. She graduated from the Winsor School in Boston in 1948 and Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mass in 1952. During her childhood, she spent her summers at family homes in Duxbury, Mass and on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire, where she developed a love of tennis. After graduation, Fay married Robert T. Hennes, and they moved to Rye. After her first marriage ended in divorce, Fay married John L. Gray III in September of 1967. They were married for 50 years. Fay received a Master’s Degree in teaching from the College of New Rochelle, and she worked as a special education teacher. A competitive tennis player, Fay was the captain of the Manursing Island Club ladies’ tennis team for many years. She was also an active platform tennis player. Fay and John were members of Christ Church, were they served for many years as ushers. Fay had also been a member of the Altar Guild (and John a Vestryman). They were members of the Apawamis Club. Fay loved her dogs, all standard poodles. She could be seen every day walking her dogs for miles on the local golf courses. She will be remembered for her gentle kindness, quiet humour, and her devotion to her family and many friends. In addition to her husband John Gray, Fay is survived by her sister Carolyn Marshall, her brother Laurence O. Pratt, Jr. (Jerry), her three sons: Robert Taft Hennes, Jr, Duncan Pratt Hennes (of Rye), and Theodore Preston Hennes II (General Manager of Coveleigh Club in Rye), and their wives Jane, Laura and Gigi. She had two step-daughters Lisa Gray and Phyllis McCormick. She had six grandchildren: William H. Hennes, Robert T. Hennes III, Duncan P. Hennes Jr. (“DJ”), Andrew W. Hennes, Theodore P. Hennes III (“Preston”) and Katelyn Hennes. She had one great-granddaughter, Frances W. Hennes. A memorial service will be held on Friday April 21 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church in Rye.