GRAY, Suzanne E. (Leavery) (Wilson) of Roslindale, November 12, 2012. Beloved wife of Robert J. Gray and loving mother of Lorraine L. Gray and her partner Abby Peck of Roslindale. Also survived by her nieces Deborah Cook, Susan De Simone, Dorian Hodge and their families. Predeceased by her sister Jeanne Bills and her mother Katherine Marie Mills and father Arthur Leavery.
Born in Syracuse, NY, May 31, 1918, Suzy graduated from Fairport High School (NY) in 1937. She was accepted to Syracuse University for art but could not attend because of the hardships of the Great Depression. During WWII she worked, like Rosie the Riveter, in a carbine factory. After the war she moved to New York City where she pursued her love of Art in the Greenwich Village of the late 1940s and 50s. She took many art classes, did drawing, painting and jewelry making and also worked as an artists’ model. She also worked for Otis Elevator and Macy’s. In the mid-1960s she moved to New Jersey and from 1973 lived in Ocean Grove, NJ where she was very active in the historical society. In 2006 she moved to Boston to be near her daughter. She loved gardening, nature and her cat Fattooni. Always curious, creative, fun and exceptionally loving, she will be terribly missed.
A private service was held by the family at Newton Cemetery on November 16, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Suzanne’s memory to The Nature Conservancy.