Elaine Janelle Gray
September 20, 1943 - March 21, 2026
OBITUARY
Elaine Janelle Gray passed away on March 21, 2026, nearly a year and a half after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was born in rural South Dakota, the youngest of eleven children. Born completely deaf, she spent her childhood attending residential schools for the Deaf—first in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and later in Berkeley, California—where she learned to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). She went on to graduate from Gallaudet University, the nation’s only university dedicated exclusively to Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Elaine lived her life with fearlessness and curiosity. In her 20s, she traveled the world on her own, often remarking that navigating the hearing world was no different from exploring other countries with unfamiliar languages. Her love of travel continued throughout her life, including more recent trips to Moldova and Haiti, where she worked with Deaf children.
Elaine spent many years teaching ASL to high school students in Lodi and, in her 70s, became a prolific watercolor painter, generously gifting friends and family with detailed paintings of pets, family, and landscapes.
Elaine will be remembered for her sweet, generous spirit, her open mind, and her warm, easy smile. She lived a remarkable life and met life’s challenges with patience and compassion. She loved dogs—especially her beloved Oliver—and volunteered at a local animal shelter in Lodi. Her Christian faith was important to her, and she wished to share messages of kindness, humility, and charity with others.
She is survived by her children, Andy (Eri) and Carrie; her grandsons, Kai and Noah; her sister, Lola; and her granddogs, Grimm and Yuzu.
In her memory, donations may be made to a local animal shelter or rescue organization, or to an organization that supports the Deaf community.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gray family.
Please leave your condolences below.