Anne Skinner Gray, known affectionately as “Susie,” died peacefully on June 7th, 2023, at the age of 97. She is survived by her five children: Susan Gray Sauter (Kevin) of Roseville, MN; Pamela Anne of San Jose, CA; Robert Reed Jr. (Judie) of Celebration, FL, Tony (Debbie) of Bethesda, MD and Geoff (Kelli) of Bethesda, MD, and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Reed Gray, and brother, Robert Skinner.
Born on March 1, 1926, in New Rochelle, NY, Susie was the daughter of the late Charles Lawrence Skinner and Mary Draddy Skinner. She graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1944 and Skidmore College in 1948, where she earned a B.A. in jewelry design. At that time, less than 3% of women in the United States had a college degree. After college, she moved to New York City and was hired by Tiffany & Company as their first female window dresser, and eventually went on to design windows for Lord & Taylor in New York City. This, all at a time when women were often barred from such work. After meeting Robert Reed Gray at a baptism in 1951, Susie married and relocated to Washington, D.C. where Bob was with the General Council’s office of the Civil Aeronautics Board. They settled in Bethesda and raised their five children.
Susie’s love for the arts continued to flourish in Washington, where she found a robust community of like-minded cultural enthusiasts and devoted countless volunteer hours to numerous organizations including The Junior League and the Westmoreland Hills Garden Club, among others. In 1971, she founded the now nationally renowned Smithsonian Craft Show and became its first Chairperson. She also sat on the board of the American Crafts Council for many years. She worked diligently to educate the public, and promote the fine crafts community in DC, New London NH, and across the country for the next 40 years. It was her greatest joy.
In her 50’s, Susie decided to pursue an additional degree in interior design, graduating from American University and subsequently working with Jacqueline Anton Interiors, as well as her own firm, Susie Gray Interiors. Over the years she did several rooms for the Washington DC Designer Showcase House. She was an active member of the Sulgrave Club and Chevy Chase Club, and traveled the world whenever time allowed.
In 1984, Susie and Bob retired in New London, New Hampshire, the beloved small town in which they had vacationed since Bob’s time at Dartmouth. In New London, Susie was actively involved in the New Hampshire League of Craftsman, the New London Garden Club and continued to work in interior design, while Bob performed with the Dartmouth choral society and played the tuba in a marching band. Both continued their passion for education through ILEAD, the Institute for Lifelong Learning at Dartmouth. An avid gardener, Susie transformed their homestead into a pastoral landscape each spring, winning the garden club award many times over the years.
After Bob’s passing, Susie moved back to the DC area in 2018 to be closer to her sons Bob, Tony and Geoff and several grandchildren. Susie will be remembered as a trailblazer for women and a visionary with a witty sense of humor and a smile that could light up a room. She will be missed by all.
A private burial was held on June 20 in New London NH, with a celebration of life event to be held in Bethesda MD later in the summer.
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