Marina Marta Gray

December 30, 1955 - January 27, 2022

Marina Marta Gray, age 66, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, January 27, 2022. She was born on December 30, 1955, in Santa Monica, CA to Marta Hawkins, and raised by Marta and Bob Hawkins. She was a 1974 graduate of Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, CA. Marina and Dennis Gray were married at Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes in May 1976, fulfilling her childhood dream to get married in the “Glass Church.” This began a remarkable 45-year journey together. They raised two sons, Tracey, and Randy, lived in five states, and made an immeasurable number of memories. Marina was a natural public servant. She advocated for abused and neglected children at CASA of New Jersey and provided hope for survivors of domestic abuse through her work with the Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter. She was fiercely loyal, someone you wanted in your corner, and helped countless people in quiet ways. More recently, Marina enjoyed her volunteer work with the Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach, DE and the Zwaanendael Club of Lewes, DE. She was quick to make friends (and keep them forever), and it’s easy to understand why. She introduced herself as “Marina, like the boat harbor,” and her personality was bigger than any harbor you could imagine. She was the walking embodiment of perseverance and life. She knew how to say yes, try new things, laugh loudly, and drag everyone along for the ride. Marina never danced alone, always encouraging others to get up and join her. Her glass was always half-full. She was “the fun mom” who always had the best snacks for her boys’ friends. She was “the doting Nana” who thrived in smothering her grandchildren with sweets and hugs. She was “the caring friend” who offered a tender moment or word of comfort. She was “the loving wife” who made every day better when she was by her husband’s side. During the summer months you could find her at the beach enjoying the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves. Her friends describe Marina as the “life of the party,” “the sweetest person,” “a beautiful soul,” a “dancing queen,” and a “wild and wonderful woman.” Marina loved to travel with Dennis, family, and friends, and her travels brought defining moments in her life, and those of her travel companions. She had a passion for cruising, 17 cruises in 10 years, and easily could have been the cruise director on each. She enjoyed most of Europe, including a visit to her mother’s childhood home in Riga, Latvia. Some of her favorite trips included traversing the Panama Canal, Italy, Spain, Russia, and India where she was blessed by a Jain priest in Ranakpur. Her smile was infectious. Like the sun, Marina had the kind of smile that electrified a room and brought warmth to those in its brilliance. The world has dimmed without it. For those who experienced Marina’s smile, if you close your eyes, concentrate, and see it, it will forever warm you again. Marina is survived by her loving husband, Dennis, her children (and their spouses), Tracey (Beth) and Randy (Roxanne), her grandchildren, Madison, Carter, and Avery, her mother and stepfather, Marta and Bob Hawkins, her brothers, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of Marina’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Marina’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 (delawarehospice.org/donate) or CASA of New Jersey (casaofnj.org). Please sign the virtual guestbook for Mrs. Gray located on this tribute page.