Susan Marie Gray

1956 - 2018

Susan Marie (Glaser) Gray
Resident of Palo Alto
Susan Marie (Glaser) Gray, age 62, of Palo Alto passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 2, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends. When Susan entered a room everyone knew her name. Her spirit, quick wit, strong will and love for life was felt by everyone she touched.
Susan was the first of six daughters and one son, born to Gerald and Barbara Glaser on March 30, 1956 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She graduated from St. Mary's School of Radiology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1980 her career took her on a journey that brought her to California. She met Timothy Gray while working at Children's Hospital at Stanford and they married in 1995. With the addition of Catherine, twins Michael and Andrew, their family was complete.
Waiting in heaven to greet her with an old fashioned in hand were her brother Mark, her maternal and paternal grandparents, cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. Many beloved family pets were a part of the celebration. She is survived by her husband, children (ages 18, 16 and 16) parents, five younger sisters and brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Susan started her health care career as an x-ray technologist, caring for patients on a daily basis. As the Director of Radiology Services at Children's Hospital at Stanford, she was instrumental in creating the expanded imaging services for the new Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital. In recent years, Susan took on the challenge of improving the esthetics of the hospital environment by acquiring art that would aid in the children's healing process. She helped pioneer technologies that continue to allow young patients to share in the wonders of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Susan's dedication to her work is a tribute that will be remembered forever.
Susan knew what she wanted out of life and always found a way to make it happen. One of the things she wanted most was children, and she made that dream come true. Her loving and common sense approach to life, combined with her giving spirit, has created a strong foundation from which her family will continue to thrive. Catherine, Michael and Andy each have brought great joy into her life.
Susan approached life with an adventurous and fun-loving spirit, and had a remarkable ability to make her family into friends, and her friends into family. Susan was blessed not only with sisters by birth but also with her "California sisters" with whom she shared much laughter, a few tears, good food, and even better wine. Susan's friends admired her sense of style and she was always dressed to impress, regardless of the occasion. Even her Green Bay Packer wardrobe was envied by all.
A vigil in celebration of her life will be held on Monday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 3233 Cowper Street, Palo Alto. A funeral mass will be held at the same location on Tuesday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. Friends and family can share memories of Susan's life at www.cusimanocolonial.com. To honor Susan's generous spirit of giving, her family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a local cause that is close to your heart.
Susan was cherished by many and will be dearly missed. We are all better people for having her in our lives. Her spirit will always be with us.


View the online memorial for Susan Marie (Glaser) Gray