Sister Joy Elizabeth Gray, OSU

Sister Joy Elizabeth Gray, OSU, 76, a dedicated educator and administrator in the Diocese of Toledo, died June 18, 2026 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Sylvania, Ohio. Sister Joy was the daughter of the late Russell and Frances Beatrice (Collins) Gray. Sister Joy and her family were parishioners at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Bono, Ohio. She entered the Ursuline Convent of the Sacred Heart in August of 1968. Sister Joy graduated from St. Ursula Academy, Toledo, Ohio in 1968. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the former Mary Manse College in 1973 and a Master of Science in Education degree from The University of Dayton in 1983. Sister Joy spent her entire teaching and principalship career in the Diocese of Toledo Catholic schools. She taught at St. Angela Hall in Toledo, St. John the Baptist in Point Place, and St. Gerard in Lima. She then held principal positions St. Rose in Perrysburg and St. John the Baptist in Point Place. Sister Joy was an active member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council from 1985 to 1987 and was honored as Sister of the Year by the Knights of Columbus in 1993. In 1998, she became Director of the Ursuline Center, where she served until 2011. She was a member of the Ursuline Leadership Team, contributing to the community in this way on two occasions. In giving of her time and talents, Sister Joy volunteered at the former St. Luke's Hospital, Maumee and served on the Board of Trustees for St. Ursula Academy. When reflecting on her years of ministry at her Golden Jubilee in 2018, Sister Joy said, "Celebrating 50 years as an Ursuline Sister, I am filled with gratitude for the gifts God has given me. Ministry means for me a willingness to be of service, to cherish each person and to do all I could to help them grow to be the person God wished them to be." Sister Joy is preceded in death by her parents, brother James (Linda) and sister, Geraldine. She is survived by her brother Kenneth (Nancy), four nephews, several grand nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews, and the Sisters and the Associates of the Ursuline Community. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 25, 2026, beginning at 4 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, Ohio. A Mass of Resurrection will take place on Friday, June 26, 2026, beginning at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 6149 Hill Ave., Toledo, Ohio. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent. Please sign the online guest register at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Sister Joy Elizabeth Gray, OSU

February 14, 1950 - June 18, 2026