Josephine "Joey" Grace Gay
December 11, 2005 ~ December 14, 2012
Josephine's bell is B6. When B6 rings, we remember a beautiful little girl whose indomitable, inspiring, and generous spirit touched the lives of all who loved and cherished her. She lived seven years, inspiring friends and family with her beautiful smile, loving heart, and playful spirit.
Josephine, whom friends and relatives called "Joey," loved to play with her Barbie dolls, iPad, and computer, swim, swing, and be anywhere her sisters were. She loved the color purple. Born in Maryland, she grew up in a family of Ravens fans and developed an affinity for all things purple. She rarely left the house without wearing something purple.
"She touched so many people," her father, Bob Gay, said in an emotional eulogy. "She did not care about prestige or possessions. She calls all of us to be better."
Joey's mother, Michele, added, "Our daughter was here to teach us."
She joined her husband in listing the life lessons they learned from their daughter.
"Don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff," said her father.
"You really cannot appreciate a movie until you've watched it at least 300 times," said the mother, bringing smiles to the crowd as she described one of her daughter's favorite pastimes.
She said the best lesson she learned from Joey was, "Never give up on people. It may take a while, but eventually they will get it."
Josephine will never be forgotten. A bell for Josephine will always ring at Christmas.