Gracie M. Frey

Gracie Mae Novak Frey died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Riverside Regional Convalescent Center in Smithfield, Va.

Mrs. Frey was the widow of Paul C. Frey Jr. Her son, Craig E. Frey (Catherine) of Newport News, Va., survives her.

Mrs. Frey was born in Petersburg, Va., in July 1920. She spent most of her early years in Ohio and Allentown, Pa. She graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa., and worked in the area until she married her beloved "Jr." in 1945. The couple moved to the Hopewell-Petersburg area where they resided until 2003.

Mrs. Frey was the perfect daughter, wife, mother and neighbor. She always had cookies, cake or other delicious treats to offer guests when they arrived. She loved to cook, sew and enjoyed every kind of craft. She moved to Smithfield in 2003 when her health began to decline. While living in the Petersburg area, she was a member of Ocran United Methodist Church in Sutherland, Va.

In addition to her son and daughter-in-law, she is survived by two grandchildren, Sara Frey Shields (Stephen) of Brevard, N.C., and Matthew Paul Frey (Jennifer) of Stephens City, Va.; and five great-grandchildren, Gracie Leigh Shields, Colten Paul Frey, and Anthony, Jonathan and Sabrina Lundsford.

A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Bermuda Memorial Park, 1901 Bermuda Hundred Road, Chester, Va. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ocran United Methodist Church, 20807 Cox Road Sutherland, VA 23885, or to a favorite charity.

Cremation Society of Virginia, Hampton Roads office, is assisting the family.