Sandra Lee Gray

Sandra Lee Gray of Waukesha passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at the age of 82. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia on December 3, 1938, the daughter of Roy L. and Hazel (Cash) StClair. On January 31, 1959, she married the love of her life Jesse F. Gray. Moving from Roanoke to St. Louis MO to Houston TX to Apple Valley MN and finally settling in Waukesha in 1976. Sandra owned and operated Pic-a-Bac Paperback Exchange in Waukesha for 30 years, retiring in 2009. She was often referred to as the “book lady”.

She was an active member of the social, service, and cultural enrichment sorority Beta Sigma Phi for over 40 years. She and her sisters in Xi Omega contributed in many ways to various community organizations in need. With special attention to the Ronald McDonald House and Waukesha Food Pantry.
An avid gardener who loved cucumbers, tomatoes, and green beans fresh from the vine. Her home was surrounded by lush flower beds, pines, oaks, and maples; providing beauty in our lives and natural habitats for the wildlife she so loved watching from her windows.

She also enjoyed sewing. Making clothes, mittens, and blankets for children in need as well as her family members, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Everybody had a pair of polar fleece mittens in the trunk of their car for those Wisconsin winter emergencies.

She will be sadly missed by her beloved husband Jesse and their children, Brian Gray of Baldwin, Dawn Schroeder of Milwaukee, and Todd (Joey Hoey) Gray of Madison; her grandchildren, Jacob Schroeder and Jared (Renee) Schroeder and great-grandchildren, Claire, Emma, Jesse and Vivian Schroeder. She is survived by her sister Elaine (Doug) Prillaman, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Roy E. StClair and brother-in-law Doug Prillaman.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. celebration of life and time of sharing at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Private interment will be at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorials in Sandra’s name are appreciated to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 8948 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226.