Denise Gray

Denise Jean Gray, 69, went to be with the Lord on Monday July 7, 2025. Born January 22, 1956, her greatest joy in life was helping others. Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Charles R. and Mildred Hasselschwert of Defiance, Ohio. Denise is survived and missed greatly by her husband, Charles Gray of Defiance, Ohio; her sister, Deborah Quaranta (Joseph) of Columbus, Ohio; her first cousins, Shirley Groll of Defiance Ohio, Mariella Pardo of Columbus, Ohio, Charlene Demchock of Michigan City, Indiana; her second cousins, Beth Bowers (Bruce) of Bryan, Ohio, and Connie Kerr of Defiance, Ohio, and many other family members and friends.

Denise was a life long resident of Defiance, Ohio. A graduate of Defiance High School, she excelled in foreign language and assisted in teaching Spanish classes. She later turned her skill with language into learning sign language. Denise became active in politics at a young age. She met her husband of nearly fifty years, Charles Gray, during the 1972 presidential campaign. Denise was also the youngest person at that time ever elected to a statewide position with the Ohio Young Democrats. Denise later became a precinct committee woman for the Defiance County Democratic Party and held many party offices through the years. Denise loved antiques and became an expert in antique and vintage glassware. She was very creative and created beautiful framed works of art using crochet. Denise also found joy in caring for her many four legged friends over the years.

Denise wanted to be known as someone who helped others and as a strong person and she was just that. Denise endured many years of illness including ten years on dialysis. Her inner strength and love of others was undeniably demonstrated as her trials did not stop her from loving others or her serving her community.

The family is having a private celebration of life in remembrance of Denise.

Condolence gifts may be set to the Kidney Foundation.