Anna Rosetta (Leonard) Bray

Anna Bray, 96, beloved Mother, was called to her eternal resting place on June 16, 2021. She entered this world on March 1, 1925, in Crocker, Missouri. She is one of ten children born to Harry and Mabel Leonard. She had five brothers, four sisters and one half brother. She grew up in Iowa and married Eugene H. Bray in the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. They had three children all born in Iowa. She was preceded in death by their son Steven Gene Bray. The family moved to Colorado where her daughters grew up. She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene H. Bray She is survived by her daughter Sheryl Bray Gordon from New Mexico and daughter Debra Rowe Harkey from Florida. She is survived by her youngest brother Robert Leonard of Colorado.

Anna is survived by five grandchildren: Jennifer Gordon of Salado, Texas; Stefanie Gordon of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Major Michael Gordon, USAF stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida; Michelle Gordon Howard of Ft Worth Texas; and Kyle Rowe of Knoxville, Tennessee. She has 11 great grandchildren and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Anna was a teacher, earning her bachelor and master's degree in Education. She worked with the Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado for many years, teaching special education. She enjoyed working with the children and their families and had many lasting friends among the people she worked with. Anna moved to the mountains of Conifer, Colorado where she designed and built her mountain home. She enjoyed hiking in the mountains, riding her mountain bike, and time with friends and family. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren, reading them stories as young children, walking with them in the garden as babies, and hiking in the mountains with them as they grew older. She taught them kindness, love of nature and mountains, enjoyed sharing stories of life and family, and always encouraged their education. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends to many lands and shared stories of her many adventures.

After she retired, Anna moved to New Mexico. She joined a line dancing group, enjoyed music and attending chamber music, concert performances and theater plays and productions. She enjoyed gardening and taught us to enjoy the beauty of the earth. Anna had a love of life and always taught us that a sense of humor and positive attitude will get you through life. She lived this as she taught it. Her life set the example for us. She taught us kindness, love, and faith and gave us strength. She was our advisor and friend and always there for us. We love you and we miss you.

Her words to us were:
May your grief be short
And your memories long
And in your heart always carry a song

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.