Nina (Tiezzi) GrayPEORIA - Nina (Tiezzi) Gray, 94, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Peoria, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017, at Querencia at Barton Creek Nursing Home, with family by her side.Nina was born on February 2, 1923, in Farmington to Torquato and Camilla Baccheschi Tiezzi. She married William "Bill" C. Gray on August 8, 1945, in Peoria. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2000.She was also preceded in death by six sisters, Anne Tiezzi, Ella West, Verna Grabinger, Louise Bonikowski, Hazel Catteau and Donna Tiezzi; 3 brothers, Guido Tiezzi, Joe Tiezzi and Nick Tiezzi; two nieces, Sandy Graves and Kayla Stacey; and one nephew, Gary Bonikowski.Nina is survived by her son, Bill (Deb) Gray of Coal Valley, Illinois; her daughter, Debbie Gray (Linda Hajjar) of Austin, Texas; one grandson, Matthew Gray; one great-grandson, Major Gray; three sisters, Elda Graves, Virginia Laible and Shirley Kellerstrass; and numerous nieces and nephews.She retired from Caterpillar after 30 years of service and was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.Nina lived in Peoria until 2006 and moved to Moline before moving to Austin in 2010.Nina loved her family, the large Tiezzi Family and much smaller Gray Family, dearly. She enjoyed nothing better than cooking enough food to feed an army and inviting everyone over - family, friends and anybody that needed a place to go. Her specialties in the kitchen ranged from pot roast with all the sides to chop suey; not to mention the worlds' best fried chicken!Although not much of a sports fan herself, she rooted, whooped and hollered for all the Chicago teams, especially the Cubbies, along with the Bradley Braves. She enjoyed spending time with her grandson, Matt, meeting her great-grandson, Major, and loved singing all the old-time standards and gospel hymns loudly. Nina enjoyed playing pinochle, socializing and a good cold beer with lots of salt. She was kind and generous to all.The family would like to thank Querencia at Barton Creek, along with Halcyon Hospice of Austin, for the exceptional care she received the past few months. She also had several caregivers over the past few years who enriched her life, and she, theirs.There will be a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights, with Fr. Jeffrey Laible officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Swan Lake Cemetery, immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the or any of Nina's favorites, which include , Alzheimer's Foundation of America, Easter Seals and Peoria affiliate.Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging on to www.wrightandsalmon.com.