Obituaries
Obituary for Nina (Tiezzi) Gray
Peoria – Nina (Tiezzi) Gray, 94, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Peoria, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017 at Querencia at Barton Creek Nursing Home with family by her side.
Nina was born on February 2, 1923 in Farmington to Torquato & Camilla Baccheschi Tiezzi. She married William (Bill) C. Gray on August 8, 1945 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2000.
She was also preceded in death by six sisters, Anne Tiezzi, Ella West, Verna Grabinger, Louise Bonikowski, Hazel Catteau, and Donna Tiezzi; 3 brothers, Guido Tiezzi, Joe Tiezzi, and Nick Tiezzi; two nieces, Sandy Graves, Kayla Stacey and one nephew, Gary Bonikowski.
Nina is survived by her son Bill (Deb) Gray of Coal Valley, Illinois; her daughter Debbie Gray (Linda Hajjar) of Austin, Texas; one grandson Matthew Gray; one great-grandson Major Gray; three sisters, Elda Graves, Virginia Laible, Shirley Kellerstrass; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She retired from Caterpillar after 30 years of service and was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Nina lived in Peoria until 2006 and moved to Moline before moving to Austin in 2010.
Nina loved her family, the large Tiezzi Family and much smaller Gray Family, dearly. She enjoyed nothing better than cooking enough food to feed an army and inviting everyone over - family, friends and anybody that needed a place to go. Her specialties in the kitchen ranged from pot roast with all the sides to chop suey. Not to mention the worlds’ best fried chicken!
Although not much of a sports fan herself, she rooted, whooped and hollered for all the Chicago teams, especially the Cubbies, along with the Bradley Braves.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandson, Matt, meeting her great-grandson, Major, loved singing all the old-time standards and gospel hymns loudly. Nina enjoyed playing pinochle, socializing and a good cold beer with lots of salt. She was kind and generous to all.
The family would like to thank Querencia at Barton Creek along with Halcyon Hospice of Austin for the exceptional care she received the past few months. She also had several caregivers over the past few years who enriched her life, and she, theirs.
There will be a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Saturday, Aug 5, 2017 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights with Fr. Jeffrey Laible officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Swan Lake Cemetery immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice or any of Nina’s favorites which include St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Easter Seals & Susan G. Komen Peoria affiliate.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
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Nina was born on February 2, 1923 in Farmington to Torquato & Camilla Baccheschi Tiezzi. She married William (Bill) C. Gray on August 8, 1945 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2000.
She was also preceded in death by six sisters, Anne Tiezzi, Ella West, Verna Grabinger, Louise Bonikowski, Hazel Catteau, and Donna Tiezzi; 3 brothers, Guido Tiezzi, Joe Tiezzi, and Nick Tiezzi; two nieces, Sandy Graves, Kayla Stacey and one nephew, Gary Bonikowski.
Nina is survived by her son Bill (Deb) Gray of Coal Valley, Illinois; her daughter Debbie Gray (Linda Hajjar) of Austin, Texas; one grandson Matthew Gray; one great-grandson Major Gray; three sisters, Elda Graves, Virginia Laible, Shirley Kellerstrass; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She retired from Caterpillar after 30 years of service and was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Nina lived in Peoria until 2006 and moved to Moline before moving to Austin in 2010.
Nina loved her family, the large Tiezzi Family and much smaller Gray Family, dearly. She enjoyed nothing better than cooking enough food to feed an army and inviting everyone over - family, friends and anybody that needed a place to go. Her specialties in the kitchen ranged from pot roast with all the sides to chop suey. Not to mention the worlds’ best fried chicken!
Although not much of a sports fan herself, she rooted, whooped and hollered for all the Chicago teams, especially the Cubbies, along with the Bradley Braves.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandson, Matt, meeting her great-grandson, Major, loved singing all the old-time standards and gospel hymns loudly. Nina enjoyed playing pinochle, socializing and a good cold beer with lots of salt. She was kind and generous to all.
The family would like to thank Querencia at Barton Creek along with Halcyon Hospice of Austin for the exceptional care she received the past few months. She also had several caregivers over the past few years who enriched her life, and she, theirs.
There will be a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Saturday, Aug 5, 2017 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights with Fr. Jeffrey Laible officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Swan Lake Cemetery immediately afterward.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice or any of Nina’s favorites which include St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Easter Seals & Susan G. Komen Peoria affiliate.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
5
Aug
9:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Funeral Mass
Saturday
5
Aug
10:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Cemetery Details
Location
Swan Lake Memory Gardens
4601 Route 150
Peoria, IL 61615
Memorial Contribution
Susan G. Komen
Donor's Choice
St. Jude Midwest Affiliate
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