Mildred "Mickey" V. (Hamilton) Gray

Mildred V. Gray (nee Hamilton) age 95, peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 with her loving children and Miniature Schnauzer “Lola” at her side.

“Mickey,” as she was known to all, was born on April 24, 1926 to the late Ralph E. and Verna A. Hamilton (nee Bordner) in her home in Massillon, OH. She spent much of her childhood helping with the family Bordner’s Grocery Store. She attended Washington High School, class of 1944, where she met her high school sweetheart, the late Willard “Will” H. Gray to whom she was married for 63 years.

Mickey attended Baldwin-Wallace College before the newlyweds moved to Athens, OH where she helped put Will through college by working at the electric company and in a ladies’ dress shop. This was no surprise, as Mickey always had an “eye for fashion.” After graduation, the young couple moved to Wilmington, DE where their son Jeffrey was born.

In 1952, the couple returned to Ohio and settled in Wickliffe to raise their family, which included the addition of daughter Gayle in 1955. They were active members of Wickliffe Presbyterian Church where Mickey was a faithful servant for 70 years. She was involved in many church activities and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was also active in the local community as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Blue Bird/Camp Fire Girl Leader, poll worker and “Meals on Wheels” volunteer. Additionally, she loved dogs and was a longtime dog groomer known to many families in the area.

Mickey had many interests in life including bowling, mahjong, cross-stitch, knitting and crafting. She enjoyed handiwork and also had a passion for collecting and displaying miniatures, among many other keepsakes. An avid doll house enthusiast, Mickey would put her childhood doll house under the Christmas tree every year for her grandchildren to enjoy. She took her love of doll houses and miniatures further when she purchased a Real Good Toys 14-room doll house that she customized for her family. It became her “labor of love” and every detail had significance down to the friendly brown poodle, the family dog, sitting on the front porch. Her doll house was even featured in American Miniaturist Magazine.

In 1973, Mickey took up the game of golf. She and Will enjoyed a long membership at Legend Lake in Chardon. They also traveled to Myrtle Beach for 11 consecutive years with several couples from Shady Hollow. Her love of the game encouraged the desire to compete with other women in Northeast Ohio and she joined the Greater Cleveland Golf Association (GCGA). She was also able to enjoy many seasons of play at Foxfire in Naples, FL where Mickey and Will wintered for 27 wonderful years. She did not retire her clubs until she was 91 years old.

Mickey was outgoing, loved to stay busy, and made friends wherever she went. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Ohio University Women’s Association and the Washington High School Alumni Association. She had a lifelong appreciation of Music and the Arts and was a member of the Women’s Committee of the Willoughby Fine Arts Society. She cherished her family and friends deeply and will be remembered by many for her written correspondence.

In addition to her beloved Will and her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Marilyn (Dale) Ballinger of Massillon, OH. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Patti) Gray of Bellevue, OH, daughter Gayle (Gary) Sloan of Solon, OH; grandchildren Allison (Brandon) Ollanketo of Dublin, OH, Meagan (Rick) Valore of Highland Heights, OH, Ryan Sloan of Roanoke, VA and Vickie (Thomas) Avery of Rossford, OH; 6 great-grandchildren; and niece Susan Ballinger of Twinsburg, OH.

Mickey lived a wonderful, active and full life journey with many friends and loved life to the end.

A memorial service for Mickey will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at First Covenant Church 29400 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, followed by a luncheon. The family asks that memorials be considered to First Covenant Church or any animal Humane organization of your choice.

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