This story appeared in the Feb. 18, 2014 edition of the Daytona News-Journal on the top of page 3C:

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140217/NEWS/140219409/0/search

New Smyrna arts advocate Shirley Grayson dies at 81

By Richard Conn
richard.conn@news-jrnl.com

Published: Monday, February 17, 2014 at 9:15 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, February 17, 2014 at 9:34 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Shirley Grayson, a well-known and tireless advocate for the arts in New Smyrna Beach, died last week at the age of 81.

Grayson was a longtime volunteer at Atlantic Center for the Arts and the Harris House. Just earlier this month the ACA recognized Grayson for her more than 15 years of service to the organization.

“She brought people into our organization and introduced them to new art, new ways of looking at things through her knowledge, through her enthusiasm, certainly through her involvement with our programming at every level,” said Nancy Lowden Norman, co-executive director of ACA.

Grayson and her husband, Robert Grayson, moved to New Smyrna in 2000 and were fixtures at gallery openings and other arts events in the city. Robert Grayson served multiple terms as president of the Artists’ Workshop Inc. in New Smyrna Beach. The couple were high school sweethearts who met on a blind date. They were married for almost 61 years.

“She was extremely outgoing and everybody in the community loved her,” Robert Grayson said of his wife.

“Our city mourns the unexpected passing of Shirley Grayson,” New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer said in a statement Monday. “Shirley was an amazing individual who played an instrumental role in advancing art (and) culture in our community. She will be greatly missed.”

Grayson’s dedication to the ACA was evident in a letter of thanks she wrote to ACA staff after they honored her years of volunteer service.

“I am so proud to be one of your volunteers, you are the best and the brightest,” the letter reads. “Your volunteers are amazing and having an opportunity to interact with the artists in residence is a privilege.

“The work you do is so worthwhile and to be a part of that is very exciting.”

Contact info for Shirley’s family: 

Robert Grayson
817 Fairway Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL
rgrayson4@cfl.rr.com
(386) 427-6263

Dennis and Nancy Grayson
533 Home Ave
Oak Park IL 60304
dgrayson@psych.uic.edu
(708) 574-8157

Dianne Grayson
907 W. Kroll Ave
Gilbert, AZ 85233
dianne_grayson@yahoo.com
(480) 220-6188 

Lisa and James Mitzelfeld
2101 Grayson Place
Falls Church, VA  22043
Mitzelfeld@cox.net
(703) 470-0383 

An obituary appeared in the Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 edition of
the Detroit Free Press:


http://deathnotices.michigan.com/view-single.php?id=336900&token=

GRAYSON SHIRLEY 81, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died Thursday after a brief illness. Her loving husband of more than 60 years, Robert, was by her side. She was a dedicated volunteer and booster of the arts. A devoted mother and grandmother, she lit up the room with her smile. Her gift for conversation was renown. Born in Detroit on Nov. 24, 1932. She married her high school sweetheart on May 30, 1953. They raised three children in the Detroit area. A Funeral will be Wednesday at Baldwin Brothers in NSB. She is also survived by her brother Frank Attwood of Beverly Hills, MI; children Dennis (Nancy), Dianne, and Lisa Mitzelfeld (James); and grandchildren, Robert, Anthony, Paris and Benjamin. Memorials to the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Online tribute at ForeverMissed.com.

An obituary appeared in the Sunday Feb. 16, 2014
Daytona Beach News-Journal:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-journalonline/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-grayson&pid=169691955&fhid=3797

(Please note that the reception after the funeral will be at Arts on Douglas not the Women's Club, as listed below.)

Shirley Grayson, 81, of New Smyrna Beach, died Thursday after a brief illness, at Fish Memorial Hospital. Her loving and devoted husband of more than 60 years, Robert Grayson, was by her side.

A dedicated volunteer for the Atlantic Center for the Arts and the Harris House, Shirley enthusiastically promoted the arts in New Smyrna. She frequently attended gallery openings and local artist events with her husband, a noted colored pencil artist who served as president of the Artists' Workshop.

Her passion for the arts was transcended only by her love for people, and her ability to connect with others. She would light up a room with her warm smile, and her gift for conversation was well known among friends. Her love of life lifted everyone's spirits.

A devoted mother and loving grandmother Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family more than anything else. Shirley Attwood was born in Detroit on November 24, 1932, the youngest daughter of Angelina Lemieux and Frank Attwood. She married Robert Grayson, her high school sweetheart, on May 30, 1953 and the couple raised three children in suburban Detroit, where Bob worked in the dairy business before retiring and moving to New Smyrna Beach in 2002.

A funeral gathering will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, 1 North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, followed by a service at 2 p.m. with reception to follow from 3-4:30 p.m. at Arts on Douglas, 123 Douglas, NSB.

In addition to her husband, Shirley is also survived by her brother Frank Attwood of Beverly Hills, MI; son Dennis (Nancy), of Oak Park, IL; daughters, Dianne, of Gilbert, AZ; Lisa Mitzelfeld (James), of Falls Church, VA; and grandchildren, Robert Grayson of Phoenix, AZ; Anthony Grayson, a student at New York University, NY; Paris and Benjamin Mitzelfeld, of Falls Church, VA.

Memorials to The Artists' Workshop or the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

Also, see the online tribute to Shirley at ForeverMissed.com. 

Shirley Grayson, 81, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died Thursday after a brief illness, at Fish Memorial Hospital.  Her loving and devoted husband of more than 60 years, Robert Grayson, was by her side.

A dedicated volunteer for the Atlantic Center for the Arts and the Harris House, Shirley enthusiastically promoted the arts in New Smyrna.  She frequently attended gallery openings and local artist events with her husband, a noted colored pencil artist who served as president of the Artists’ Workshop. 

Her passion for the arts was transcended only by her love for people, and her ability to connect with others.  She would light up a room with her warm smile, and her gift for conversation was well known among friends.  Her love of life lifted everyone’s spirits. A devoted mother and loving grandmother Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family more than anything else. 

Shirley Attwood was born in Detroit on November 24, 1932, the youngest daughter of Angelina Lemieux and Frank Attwood.  She married Robert Grayson, her high school sweetheart, on May 30, 1953.  The couple raised three children in suburban Detroit, where Bob worked in the dairy business before retiring and moving to New Smyrna Beach in 2002. 

A funeral gathering will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, 1 North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, followed by a service at 2 p.m. with reception to follow from 3-4:30 p.m. at Arts on Douglas, 123 Douglas Street, NSB. 

In addition to her husband, Shirley is also survived by her brother Frank Attwood of Beverly Hills, MI; son Dennis (Nancy), of Oak Park, IL; daughters, Dianne, of Gilbert, AZ; Lisa Mitzelfeld (James), of Falls Church, VA; and grandchildren, Robert Grayson of Phoenix, AZ; Anthony Grayson, a student at New York University, NY; Paris and Benjamin Mitzelfeld, of Falls Church, VA.

Memorials to The Artists’ Workshop, http://www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org

 or the Atlantic Center for the Arts, http://www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org.   Also, see the online tribute to Shirley at ForeverMissed.com.