Mary Ann Gray

Mary Ann Gray was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in January of 1941 to her parents John and Helen Commissaris. She met Paul Gray in Tucson in 1962 and they were married in December of 1965. Their daughter, Deborah, was born in 1970. Less than a year later, she received a life altering diagnosis of diabetes (later to be known as Type-1). Despite believing she would never live beyond 50 years of age, due to prevailing medical opinions of the time, Mary lived with diabetes for over 54 years, with very few complications. They moved to Ames, IA in 2020 and in 2021 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In her last years, she often mentioned looking forward to heaven and she passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, 3 days past her 84th birthday in 2025.
At the age of 10, and after one too many snowstorms in Michigan, her family moved to Tucson, Arizona. After graduating from high school, she earned a bachelor's and a master's degree at the University of Arizona in elementary education. She held many jobs and had many titles over the years including: school teacher, factory worker, assistant carpet installer and carpet cleaner, church nursery provider, temporary agency staff, athletic club staff, secretary, administrative specialist, dean's assistant, seasonal H&R Block tax preparer, census worker, school bus driver, and copy center manager. Several of these positions were at Northern Arizona University which allowed her to take classes while working full-time. She took many art classes but in time she also earned a second master's degree with endorsements in special education. She taught elementary special education for 2 years before returning to NAU. However, her passion for working with people with special needs led her to take a second part-time job with a respite care company evenings and weekends caring for special needs children and adults in her home. After "retiring" and moving to Cottonwood, AZ with Paul, she worked at the local hospital in several capacities. She also worked several years driving a shuttle that provided transportation for the disabled and elderly about town.
Mary also found time to have several hobbies and she enjoyed being involved with her community. Her favorite things included arts and crafts, thrift and discount stores, garage sales, popcorn and tea. She also enjoyed attending plays and music performances, gardening, camping, hiking, and traveling within the United States. She volunteered regularly for Special Olympics, at voting polls, with her daughter's girl scout troop, at her church, and through her diabetes support group. Mary loved people, and people loved her. She knew someone everywhere she went.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents John and Helen, and her brothers Larry and John. She is survived by her husband of 59 years Paul Gray, her daughter Deborah (Don) Schlagel, and her granddaughters Jordan Schlagel and Taylor (Cade) Barnett.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Heartland Baptist Church, in Ames, Iowa, on April 17, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1 pm, with a service at 2 pm. A tea party will follow.