Betty Nicolaus Gray

Betty Nicolaus Gray passed away peacefully at home holding the hands of her beloved husband and skilled caregiver Una Fung on the morning of August 5, 2014. She was born on March 20, 1916 and was the daughter of banker Edward and Florence Nicolaus. She was a fourth generation Sacramentan whose maternal and paternal grandparents were pioneers who arrived in California in 1850. Betty is survived by her loving husband attorney Charles F. Gray Jr., son Garry Gray and wife Linda and grandchildren Natalie and Alex of Sparks, Nevada; son Steve Gray and wife Carole, and grandsons Joe and Paul of Kentfield; nephew Edward Nicolaus III of San Francisco; niece and goddaughter Patricia Raven and husband Charles of Kentfield; niece Nancy Zacher of San Francisco; nephew Windy Nicolaus and wife Lissa of Ross; niece Polly Wolff and husband Ward of Greenbrae; niece Lindi Caywood of South Carolina; sister-in-law Jessie Emanuel and husband, Dave of Grass Valley, and numerous great nephews and nieces. Betty was predeceased by her brother Wendel Nicolaus and wife Peggy; brother Edward Nicolaus Jr. and wife Dorothea; sister Mary Stevens and husband Robert, and sister Jean Caywood and husband Grant. Betty thus became the loving matriarch of the Nicolaus relatives for many years. Betty attended local schools and UC Berkeley where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. During WWII she completed a training course in the Aircraft Warning Service of the 4th Interceptor Command, and then served as an enemy aircraft spotter at McClelland Air Force Base. Betty and Charles married in 1952 and she was never happier in her life as she raised her two sons. Later she cared for her mother and older sister Mary prior to their passing. Besides her family she was passionate about flowers and her Sacramento heritage. Her garden was a horticultural masterpiece, which she carefully tended until the end. And, she leaves behind priceless historical Nicolaus family photos and letters that she used to vividly depict Sacramento during its early development. Betty loved to vacation with her family in Carmel. Additionally, she enjoyed attending the Indianapolis 500 with her family while visiting a college friend and Kentucky Derbys hosted by her extended Louisville relatives. Betty was active in the community serving on committees at Trinity Cathedral Church, was a member of the Junior League and the Charity League, the Sacramento Pioneer Association, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association and the UC Berkeley Alumni Association. She was a prominent Sacramento hostess including entertaining California Governors and one future U.S. President. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the Sacramento Old City Cemetery or a charity of your choice. A celebration of her life was held on August 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral Church, 2620 Capital Avenue.