Madonna Elizabeth Gray

Madonna Elizabeth Gray, age 78 of Sterling Heights, died Monday, March 8, 2021 at home. She was born April 3, 1942 in Detroit, daughter of the late Marvin and the late Margaret (nee: Lynch) Grieshaber.

A loving wife, mom, grandma & sister, Donna (as she was known more affectionately by all) was truly the center, the heart, and the revered matriarch of her family. They meant the world to Donna, and every moment in their presence was yet another blessing from God. A doting wife to two wonderful husbands,…a caring mother to three beautiful children,…and the cherished grandmother of seven, Donna “family quiver” was filled with a host of characters who brought her life immense joy. As a consummate homemaker and mom, Donna worked tirelessly to maintain a warm and comfortable home environment for her family, and she accomplished it all with her own sense of finesse. She made it all look so easy, though we know it wasn’t. More than any job one would punch a clock in which to engage, Donna’s clock ran perpetually and her care never ceased. Perhaps that is why she was so adored. She worked hard to achieve the balance of work vs. play, and time away from her chores at home was often filled with some of her favorite pastimes,…like a rousing game of cards with family and friends on Friday night, and the name of the game was Pinochle! Nothing says fun quite like gathering around the card table, slingin’ some cards, and getting caught up in a bit of friendly conversation amidst the challenge of competition. Her Friday night card games were always the carrot on the end of the stick of a busy week.

Yet playing cards wasn’t Donna’s only source of entertainment,…one of her other greatly anticipated escapes was enjoyed each time she joined her friends for a day (or evening) at the casino. More than merely a group of friends with kindred spirits, Donna loved rallying her team of widowed friends for a trip to the “House of Hopes,” and the vision of hitting it big by giving those one-armed bandits, and Ol’ Lady Luck, a run for their money. But whether they won or lost, just sharing the experience and making those memories made them winners every time.

Yet no matter the activity or the venue, the simple pleasures of spending time with family doing whatever came to mind enveloped some of Donna’s most precious memories,…especially those that incorporated time with her brothers and sisters. The “band of siblings” managed to create some incredible moments that would live through them, and in them, for eternity,…and Donna was truly grateful to have been blessed with such love and care as that expressed through her kindred spirits. Ahh…but then there were those other cherubs in Donna’s life, her treasured grandchildren who stole her heart long ago. Watching them grow and sharing in their path of discovery never grew old for Grandma,…and some of the most coveted moments were definitely those shared around the dinner table, enjoying their company,…and of course, the great food. It’s been said; “when you’re eating, you’re happy”…and Donna truly amassed some incredibly happy memories of dining with family over the years.

As Donna made her way through life, her journey was speckled with a host of wonderful people whose lives she touched with her simplicity and grace. Likewise, Donna’s life was truly enriched by the many souls who happened along her way and left a piece of themselves for her to cherish and embrace. She leaves a wonderful legacy of love for all to hold close who were blessed to know her and be loved by her. Donna will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure. May she rest in peace, enveloped by the loving arms of God.  

Donna was the beloved wife of the late John Gray, and formerly of the late Patrick Logan. She was the loving mother of Patrick (Christy) Logan, Lisa (Dennis) Kangas, and Michael (Barb) Logan. Loving grandmother of Adam, Daniel, Patrick, Ashlyn, Jade, Spencer, and Krystal. Dear sister of Peggy (Gene) Kelty, Lou (Cathy) Grieshaber, the late Marvin (the late Alice) Grieshaber, the late Michael (the late Mary) Grieshaber, the late Madalyn Harris, the late Mary Claire Smith, and the late Marc (the late Judy) Grieshaber .

Visitation for Donna will be held Wednesday, March 10th from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd.) in Warren, Michigan.

Her Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, 11:00 am at the funeral home. Officiating the services will be Fr. Tom Slowinski.

Please share memories of Donna at her guest book below.