Mary Anne Gray remembered by the Class of ’81 with memorial scholarship

  On Tuesday, May 16, the Malden High School Class of 1981 pledged $2,900 to the Malden High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) for a scholarship in memory of classmate Mary Anne Gray. Kevin Larson and Mary Ellen O’Meara presented the money raised to Alumni Association representatives Camille Colantuoni and Arlene Ceppetelli.

  Mary Anne is remembered as the one person who embodied the spirit of the Malden High School Class of 1981 and the glue who kept many classmates together all these years. She was responsible for organizing the reunions; no matter her condition, she helped make them happen. Mary Anne was a caring person who always had time for everybody; even when experiencing difficulties or health issues, she never complained. Her final act of kindness was the coordination of our 40+1 class reunion event on September 24, 2022.

  Mary Anne always cheered everyone up with her compassionate, inspirational personality. Sadly, she passed away after a longtime illness on November 18, not even two months after the reunion. Her friends celebrated her life with a Comedy Night Fundraiser at Prince Pizzeria on April 20, 2023, and also set up an additional Go-Fund-Me campaign for all those who were unable to attend.

  The Class of ’81 would like to keep Mary Anne’s memory alive by donating the funds raised to an MHSAA scholarship to benefit Malden students who are an example in citizenship, kindness and helping others. In today’s topsy-turvy world, gifted people with these social skills make a difference in the world, just like Mary Anne did. Go Tornadoes!