Mary Alice Gray

Mary A. (Kraley) Gray, 94, a longtime resident of Grosse Pointe Woods, passed away at home with family by her side, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Mary was born May 14, 1931, in the small town of Lumberport, West Virginia. She attended Fairmont Senior High School (class of 1949). She worked briefly after graduating before enlisting in the Armed Forces. Mary proudly served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1954, she was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean War. She was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and National Defense Medal. She seperated from the Army as a Sergeant(T) and was a VFW member. Mary met her husband Gilbert, who also was serving in the Army, they married in 1954 in Heidelburg, Germany and built a loving life together that spanned 65 1/2 years. Mary was a stay-at-home mom. While raising her children, she volunteered in the schools, served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, and worked in both Grosse Pointe High School Cafeterias. Mary devoted many more years to childcare. This resulted in lifelong relationships with a few children (Julie (Durocher) Dunaway, Christine (Venti) Barrett and Victor "G" Venti) and their parents. After caring for children in her home, Mary began working a few hours a day and some evenings, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church babysitting children again, along with developing new friendships with co-workers and members. Mary cherished time spent with all her family and friends. She was vey actively involved in her grandchildren's and great granchildren's lives. She had a close bond with her late Aunt Ethel (Kraley), brother Marshall and sister, "MeMe". Also, with Lynn Weimer who was like a sister, and Carol Urquhart, her dear best friend of 68 years. She also had maintained lifelong friendships with a couple of her closest Army buddies, Frances Mendoza and Lois Iascone, and a few childhood classmate friends, Joanna (Vicchiarelli old) Mazur and Velma (Lowe) Davis, despite the long-distance between them. Mary had a passion for gardening; she had beautiful flower beds and fairy gardens. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crocheting, and sewing. She  was involved in designing and sewing some of the costumes worn in plays performed at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in the late 1960's/early 70's. Mary enjoyed spontaneous excursions whether it was by herself or a loved one along for the ride. Many of us reminisced with her about these times over the years and even recently.  Mary loved all animals. She was very devoted and held a special place in her heart for all her cats and dogs throughout her life. 

Mary is survived by her children; Sharon Gray (the late Fred McGowan), Stephanie Gray, Denise Gray, Diana Gray-Finner, & Christopher Gray. Grandchildren; Shane McGowan (Amanda), Cully McGowan, Lance Finner (Marquita), Kyle Lee Finner, Tiffany Finner & Julie (Durocher) Dunaway (David).  Great Grandchildren; Donovan Lee Finner, Anthony Dunn, Carmelo Finner, Kira Finner, Kianna Finner, Khalil Finner, Ethyn Vasquez, Andrew Dunaway, & Madeleine Dunaway.  Brother; Marshall Lotz (Mary Ann), a niece, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert H. Gray; Mother, Julia (Kraley) Lotz; Father Peter Koutsobaris; Grandparents, Michael & Mary (Vilaski) Kraley; Sister, Katherine "MeMe" (Lotz) Huss, Brother-In-Law, Robert Huss; Nephew, Keith Lotz (his wife Alaine Lotz and sons Conner & Colin), 4 Aunts, 3 Uncles, several cousins, extended family and longtime friends, Elaine & Victor Venti.

Mary was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church. Please join us in celebrating her life on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 18303 Common Rd, Roseville, MI 48066. A Luncheon to follow after the service in the church hall.

A private Committal Service with full military honors, & Interment, will be held at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI on Monday May 18, 2026.

In lue of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to any local animal rescue/shelter of your choice, Purple Heart Foundation https://purpleheartfoundation.org/  or St. Jude Hospital https://www.stjude.org/