Gerda Gray

Gerda Gray, long time resident of Washington DC, died March 11, 2025, four days short of her 99th birthday. At the age of 12, she fled Nazi Germany with her parents. They settled in Connecticut, and Gerda excelled academically at her beloved Wellesley, Harvard and Cornell, earning a Ph.D. She had a long career as an NGO professional with a long period at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). After retiring Gerda helped her husband psychoanalyst Paul Gray M.D. edit his book The Ego and Analysis of Defense. It was agreed by colleagues that he might not have finished it without her help. The devoted couple traveled extensively, especially France where Gerda used her fluent French to interpret for Paul. After retiring, Gerda volunteered at many places including the White House mail room for Obama and Youth for Understanding. 

She is survived by her stepson Steven Gray and stepdaughter Lorraine W. Gray, daughter-in law Terri Shaw, granddaughters Gemesa Gray, Natasha Stovall and Maria Shaw-Gray and five great-grandchildren.

 In lieu of flowers, friends and family may want to donate in Gerda's honor to Doctors Without Borders.