Mary Emma Lewis Gray Overlease, 96, Hammond. Mary Emma Lewis Gray Overlease, formerly of Overlease Drive, Hammond, died on Oct 23, 2009 at her sons home in Canton. The funeral will be to be determined, at the Lawrence Funeral Home.

Mary Emma Lewis Gray Overlease, 96, Hammond. Mary Emma Lewis Gray Overlease, formerly of Overlease Drive, Hammond, died Friday, October 23, at her son’s home.

Arrangements with Lawrence Funeral Home will be posted as soon as they become available.

Surviving are her son, Charles L. Gray and wife Judy L. of Canton; a daughter, Margaret “Peggy” Caneen and husband John of Poland; five grandchildren, Charles “Chip” Gray, Jr. of MD, Christina Wiatr and husband William of Ohio, Cynthia James and husband Brian of Arlington, TX, Catherine Crites and husband Douglas of Mansfield, TX and Karen Hampson and husband J. Jeff of Canton; and ten great-grandchildren.

She was born January 7, 1913, in Canton, a daughter of Charles Wm. and Margaret Griffith (Chapman) Lewis. She graduated from Northfield Academy in Northfield, Mass, in 1931, then she received her Bachelors at SLU in 1935. She later earned her Masters in Education from SLU in 1948 and then a Masters in Library Science from Syracuse University in 1951.

She was predeceased by two husbands, Clarence V. Gray and Wayne C. Overlease.

Mrs. Overlease taught high school mathematics at Madrid School in 1948. In January 1949 she worked at Canton ATI Library and then went to Columbia University. After receiving her Masters she continued to work as head librarian at Canton ATC until 1970, retiring after 21 years. After retiring she worked as librarian at University of Buffalo and Hudson Valley Community College.

She was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Middleville. She was also a member of the Empire Chapter 68 OES, Daughters of the American Revolution, Pi Beta Phi Sorority at SLU, Christ Church in Morristown and Save the River.

Mary owned a cottage at Oak Point on the St. Lawrence River since 1947.

The family has requested memorial contributions be made to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 361, Middleville, NY 13406 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence 6805 US Hwy 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.


Return to previous page.