Gay Ann Truesdale
Gay Ann Truesdale, 92, of Clarence, New York passed away in the hospital in the early hours of March 17, 2026, following several weeks of catastrophic medical issues. She had expressed her desire to go to Jesus several times recently and was blessed a few hours before passing with hymns sung to her by her sister Lois.
Born May 19, 1933, in Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania, Gay was the first-born child of the late Melvin Henry Bowen and Lois Gertrude (Reynolds) Bowen. Gay devoted her life to her family, church and friends. She was a generous, caring, deeply religious woman who inspired others through her kindness, gentleness, and selflessness. Gay, and her infectious smile, will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Gay married the late Frank Eugene Truesdale in 1952 and they raised five children. Recently, she wrote “When I had you children, my dreams came true, because what I wanted from life was a home, husband, and children. I thank God for blessing me so.” Her grown children lived far away but visited whenever possible. She was a wonderful mother. I remember as a child coming home from school and smelling the freshly baked bread and cocoa she would have waiting.
Gay worked hard most of her life. The majority of her adult life was spent in Dublin, Texas and Clarence, New York. After retirement she enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and writing to housebound and ill people to cheer them up. In the past five years, she was mostly housebound herself but loved her small apartment in the senior residence complex at Brothers of Mercy. There she enjoyed weekly card games with her sisters, jokes brought to her by her friend who delivered meals, visits from her church and so many friends, and her neighbor who cared for the flowers and bird feeders outside her window.
Gay is survived by her children and their spouses: Rebecca and Thomas Lunney, Susan Stoffer, Pauline Bowser and David Scalia, and her bonus daughter and son – Sandy and Derald Brown. Gay is also survived by her grandchildren, Starsha Brown, Meagan Collins, Cory Stoffer, Sean Stoffer and Jennifer Lunney, as well as seven great grandchildren and five sisters, Lois Deming, Evelyn Mason, Loretta Weldgen, Sharon Covert, and Eloise Folan.
Gay was preceded in death by her son Michael Truesdale and her daughter Wendy Bonnell. She was also preceded in death by nine siblings: Walter Bowen, Melvin Bowen, Robert Bowen, Hazel Miller, John Bowen, Eleanor Bowen, Susan Bowen, Alma Bemis and Norman Bowen.
Gay will have a celebration of life service at The Millgrove Bible Church in Alden, NY and/or at the Brothers of Mercy Trier Woods apartments at a future date.
Gay was a longtime supporter of both St. Jude and Paralyzed Veterans organizations. To honor her memory, donations can be given in her name. Arrangements by the Charles Meyer Funeral Home. Share you condolences at meyerfuneralhome.com