August 7, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce that our dear Agnes Lorena Gray - Ga'ow Oodaa peacefully passed away in her sleep during the early hours of August 7, 2020.
Lorena was born and raised in the Village of Old Massett in Haida Gwaii. She is from the Staastas Songolhg Clan and was the eldest daughter of Wiinnie Xahl Kengaausll Edenshawl Yeltatzie and Ernest Yeltatzie.
She had one foot in the old Haida ways and her other foot into the ever changing world. She was bright, creative, generous, beautiful and funny.
She was kind and supported her friends and family's adventures, and interests. She also encouraged everyone to learn as much as they could and was always so proud of people when they succeeded!
Lorena also loved a good joke.
Lorena Gray is survived (and will be deeply missed) by Charles Allen Wood (Woody). They shared over 50 years and together they loved and supported their family.
Lorena is also survived by her four children, Ernest, Lovejoy (Fortune), Richard and Duncan Gray from her first husband Richard Gray. She was the beloved Nonni to her children she always beamed with pride. She also ensured everyone had a good meal and often put large boxes of baking together all the time saying "You look too thin"! She always said goodbye with a little kiss chiming the words "I love you".
Lorena was a Haida elder that many looked up to. In her later years, she was the matriarch of the Staastas Songolhg Clan. She takes with her a rich heritage, fluent in the Haida language, knowledgeable of the Haida ways as well as our history.
"We love you"!
Nonnie / Mother / Auntie / Friend and Wife. You will be deeply missed.