Mary Grayce Morland

Mary Grayce (Standiford) Morland left this life peacefully on July 11, 2018 at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her parents, W.W. Standiford and Mae (Estes) Standiford, and her husbands—Ben Morland, Robert Cheves, and Jerome Murray, her daughter’s father. She is survived by her daughter, Denise Murray Standiford, by two step children—Michele Morland Shaul of Charlotte, NC and Cecil Cheves of Columbus, GA—and by many friends and step-grandchildren.

            After graduating from Miami High School in 1939, she attended the University of Miami as a voice major. Known locally as “Mary Grayce,” she emerged as a soprano who specialized in light opera. However, during WWII when she served her country in the USO, she entertained the troops with popular music. After the war, she performed in the Miami Music Circus, at public benefits and concerts, and in the fine hotels along Miami Beach. She also shared her talents with area churches and became the permanent soloist at the Westminster Presbyterian church, a position she held for almost four decades.

   She found her way to WIOD radio, an NBC affiliate, where she hosted her own show. Though she continued to sing and act professionally, she focused on the business world when she inherited Dade Printing and Stamp Works. She ran that business and took a lead role in the Miami Business and Professional Women’s Association. Later, she sold real estate on Key Biscayne. 

            Mary Grayce was good humored and charming. She had a ready smile and an adventuresome nature. Once she waited with friends all night to be rescued from the roof of a sinking cabin cruiser in Biscayne Bay. Another time, she landed an 8 ft, 80lb. sailfish. She loved duplicate bridge, sought out bridge clubs when she traveled, and often played as a guest. When she moved to Gainesville in 1987, the game of bridge helped her join this community. Before her illness last October she regularly played bridge with friends and neighbors.

            She was patriotic, an avid supporter of veterans’ associations, and a staunch Democrat. She took great pleasure in voting for a woman for President and refused to take the Hillary sticker off her car. Her sparkling, joyful spirit will be missed. The family requests that donations be made to Fisher House, an organization that supports military families.