Mary Chandler Gresham

Portsmouth - Mary Chandler Robertson Gresham, born December 24, 1926 passed away quietly on April 25th 2014 in Stuart Florida. She was a native of Portsmouth Virginia. Mrs. Gresham was the daughter of the late Mr. Robert A. Robertson, a former Treasurer of Norfolk County and Dorothy Pickerell Robertson. She graduated from Holton Arms Junior College in Washington DC and was a former Portsmouth Debutant. Mrs. Gresham's husband, Colonel Walter Vernon Gresham Jr., USAF retired, predeceased her in 1994. She is survived by two sons John Robertson Gresham, Ladysmith, Virginia and Walter Vernon Gresham III of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Mrs. Gresham is also survived by four grandchildren, Corey Chandler Gresham, Hunter Lee Gresham, Catherine Chandler Gresham and Lindsey Ann Gresham, plus two great grandchildren.

Mrs. Gresham will be remembered as a vibrant hostess from the Portsmouth Va, Nags Head NC, and Jensen Beach, Fla social scenes. She was a world traveler who enjoyed family and friends. Until her passing, she maintained residences in Nags Head, North Carolina and Jensen Beach, Florida. She frequently entertained friends and guests and was a noted socialite and gourmet cook. She will be fondly remembered by her large and diverse social circle and immediate family.

The family plans a memorial service in the near future at Nags Head, North Carolina followed by a private internment in Portsmouth, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on May 2, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Gresham

4 Entries

Jo Anna Lilley McMillan

May 5, 2014

Our family is so sorry to hear of this sad news and precious loss. I am so thankful that Mom and I were able to visit Mary Chandler in her cottage last summer. All of the Lilleys will miss her engaging personality, kindness, smile, laughter, humor, and interesting conversation. She was the best neighbor at Nags Head that the Lilleys could have ever had. Mary Chandler was a dear friend to Mom and Dad, and a very special person to all of the Lilleys. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love and Peace from Mary Anna Lilley and Jo Anna Lilley McMillan

Jo Anna Lilley McMillan

May 5, 2014

Our family is so sorry to hear this sad news. I am so thankful that Mom and I were able to visit with Mary Chandler in her cottage last summer. She was a lovely lady, a great friend to all of the Lilleys, and the best neighbor at the beach that we could have possibly had. Mary Chandler meant a lot to Mom, and she will miss her smile, laughter, interesting conversation and friendship. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love and Peace from Jo Anna Lilley McMillan and Mary Anna Lilley

May 5, 2014

Mary Chandler was our beach neighbor at Nags Head. We loved to hear her stories of the old Nags Head when she road horseback along the shore. She was a great hostess, especially to our children when they worked summers at the beach. She was the perfect person to watch over them while giving them plenty of space to enjoy a beach job. She was unique, lovely, and a character in the best way.
Fondly,
Laurence Lilley

Terry Mydock

May 2, 2014

Mary Chandler was very dear to me. I was her caregiver for the last 3 1/2 years and I couldn't have ask for a better person to spend time with and give care to. She was wonderful, generous and so considerate. A true southern lady and a class act .
I will never forget her beautiful blue eyes that could let you know if she was approving or disapproving . She was funny and had the best stories. I called her my "social butterfly" and she truly was. She had friends over for cocktail hour almost every night even the night before we went to the hospital.
Mary was looking forward to getting back to Nags Head at the end of the month after my granddaughters graduated because she didn't want me to miss out on anything regarding that event for me. She couldn't wait to see her friends and family in North Carolina and Virginia this month. She was like a second mother to me and I miss her so very much already. There will never be another " Mary Chandler Gresham".
Rest in peace,my dear friend.
Love you forever,
Terry Mydock

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