Wilmington City Councilwoman Linda M. Gray has died, according to her husband and city officials.
Gray, who joined the City Council in 2019 when she was selected to fill an open seat, died Monday at the age of 73.
“She died at about 6:30 p.m. earlier this evening,” her husband, Harold, told Delaware Online/The News Journal on Monday. “She was hospitalized last week for walking pneumonia.”
Her death came as a surprise, Harold Gray said, adding the couple had no children or relatives in the area.
Wilmington Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo sounded taken back when contacted late Monday.
“On behalf of all of council and staff, we want to offer our condolences to her loving husband Harold,” Congo said. “Councilwoman Gray had a strong love for her neighborhood, the 1st District and our city. She will be missed.”
Gray grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of science in psychology from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
She and her husband moved to Wilmington after his company, Hercules, transferred him to Delaware, where they have lived for more than 40 years.
Gray continued her education, receiving a master’s degree in abnormal psychology from Pennsylvania’s West Chester University.
She worked as a probation and parole officer before being appointed to a magistrate judge position in the state’s Justice of the Peace Court system.
Gray, who was a neighborhood activist, joined the City Council in 2019 when former council member Nnamdi Chukwuocha was elected to the state House.
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While on the City Council, Gray chaired its Intergovernmental Committee and was vice chair of its Education, Youth & Families Committee. She was also a member of the Public Safety and the Public Works and Transportation committees.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki ordered flags to fly at half-staff Tuesday after hearing the news of Gray’s death.
“Wilmington is again mourning the loss of a public servant. Her death is sad and a shock to us all,” Purzycki said in an emailed statement Tuesday morning. “We are thankful to her for the years she gave to make her local community and Wilmington a better place to live. Linda and Harold were devoted to each other and to serving the public. They were a wonderful team.”
Gray’s death comes nearly three weeks after longtime Wilmington City Councilwoman Loretta Walsh died on Oct. 25 of failing health that prompted the 30-year council member to retire from her post earlier that month.
Two months prior to Gray’s death, former Councilwoman Rysheema Dixon died on Sept. 16. Dixon stepped down at the start of the year to pursue “expanded business endeavors” and was replaced by Councilperson Albert “Al” Mills.
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Gray’s husband would appreciate all sentiments being sent to her council office. Arrangements will be determined at a later date.
Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3. Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries.
