She was born March 3, 1930 in Missoula Mont., to Minnie and Howard Childers.
Gay spent her childhood on a ranch in Enterprise raising horses with her father and mother and enjoying any activities that involved animals. The family later moved to Walla Walla, Washington where she graduated High School and married her sweetheart Elwin Grimes in 1947. To this union they were blessed with three children, Sharon, Ray and Kathy.
In 1957 she married Wayne Tracy and moved with her children to Hermiston and had two more children, Jackie and Jay.
Gay could do anything she put her mind to and made friends easily. She worked in many capacities in Hermiston such as Stewarts Market, Midway Tavern, Cozy Corner and Marlette Coach. She managed the closing of Gilham’s Jewelry Store when her husband George Gilham was killed in 1968.
She married Del Van Schoiack in 1975 and worked side by side with him at the Standard Oil Plant. When Del passed away she built Pet Rescue, Umatilla County’s first animal shelter and devoted her life to finding homes for lost and abandoned animals in our area. She was affectionately called the “dog lady” and many residents still have animals that she placed with them.
She adored her grandchildren and supported them in their endeavors. She particularly enjoyed watching Daytona dance and T.J with her barrel racing. She has 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Gay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and volunteered her time as a young woman president, seminary teacher and primary teacher. She is survived by her five children, Sharon Gangwish, Goldendale, WA; Ray (Marilyn) Tracy, Richland, WA; Kathy (Lee) Gull, Vancouver, WA; Jackie (Don) Alleman, Heppner, OR and Jay (Debbie) Tracy, Hermiston, OR.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Humane Society of Eastern Oregon Pet Rescue in Hermiston.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Feb 13 at the Hermiston Cemetery at 1 p.m. with a luncheon after at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hermiston.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
