Patricia D Gray

Gray, Patricia D. “Trish” went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ after a long and trying illness with COPD on December 21, 2010. Born in Maryland, she came with her husband and son to Tampa in 1960. She attended Strayers Secretarial School, Washington, D.C. and the University of Tampa, and studied ballroom dancing under the national dance director of Fred Astaire Dance Studios. After a career in ballroom dancing as Southeastern Dance Director for the chain, she returned to a secretarial career for two presidents of Jim Walter Corporation/ Walter Industries from 1964 to 1996. Having retired in 1996 after losing her dear husband Marc, she worked at home as an assistant to several past employers and clients. Trish was once a teacher for microwave cooking for Sears, and became very active in local community and semi-professional theater as an actress, manager and producer. She also wrote, directed and choreographed full musical reviews and comedic theatre for local groups, as well as choreographing for Tampa Community Theatre and USF Theatre. Her greatest love and hobby was family genealogy reaching back into ancient times of England and Ireland. A proud member of Clan Dunbar and a life member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of Executive Women International. Survivors include her loving companion of 12 years Richard Spiess and his family Kelli, David, Jordan, Dylan and Ciara; her son Michael C. Plocki and wife Cathryn; grandsons Max Michael, Marco and Zach, all of Orlando; 3 step-children, Marcus L. Gray, Jr., Deanna Hughes and April Hufstetler; 5 step grandchildren; 2 step great-grandchildren all of Georgia; 2 sisters-in-law, Jen Dunbar of Oregon and Betty Dunbar of Virginia along with several nieces and nephews. A visitation will held Marsicano-B.Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, January 15, 2010 3-5pm with service to follow. Remembrances may be made to Executive Women International Tampa Bay Chapter Scholarship Program or the American Lung Association.