Anne Gray Capes

Having just celebrated her 99th birthday Anne passed away on August 17, 2020.

Anne was born on July 12, 1921 in Julesburg, CO to Eleanor and Christian Nelson. Her father was a rancher, so Anne and her two sisters grew up with a great appreciation of rural life. In 1934 her father followed his Danish relatives and moved the family to Solvang, CA. There Anne attended Santa Ynez high school when the classrooms were tents, as the permanent structures had not yet been built. After high school Anne went to the junior college in Salinas, CA and then transferred to Santa Barbara State College when the campus was still on the Riviera. It was at this time that she met her future husband, Bill Gray, when he was a Marine stationed in Goleta, CA.

After the WWII she and their daughter, Barbara, joined Bill in his hometown of New Philadelphia, Ohio. They made their home in Ohio and Indiana until 1955 when they both fulfilled their dream of returning to Santa Barbara, along with their daughters, Barbara, and Christine. A son, Bill, was born in 1958.

Anne worked at Ott’s Hardware in finance and personnel for over 20 years where she was greatly admired by her coworkers for her gift of listening and ability to hold a confidence. Bill died in 1983 after a lengthy illness with Anne caring for him at home until he passed. She remarried to Glen Capes in 1985. During her marriage to Glen she found her passion for fishing in Alaska, something they were able to do several times. In 1992 she and Glen moved to Anderson, CA and immediately became a vital part of that community. Both were active in the local garden club and Methodist church. They took great joy in bringing home several blue ribbons, every year, from the County Fair. When Glen passed in 2002 Anne became even more

active in the Anderson community and became the District Representative for the State Garden Club. In 2018 Anne returned to Santa Barbara to be closer to her family.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Chris McNamara (James), son, Bill Gray (Sharon), 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their immense appreciation for the team of caregivers at the Valle Verde Village/Health Center.

Given the current COVID environment, no services are planned. If you would like to remember Anne, plant a rose, or simply go out and enjoy the sun on your face.