Dorsey Gray

Emma Dorsey Gray Battin, known to all her family and friends as Dorsey, 87, of Quogue, NY, peacefully passed away on Friday, June 5 at her home in Quogue.

Born on May 8, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY, Dorsey was the daughter of the late Edward Dorsey and Jean Lincoln Gray.  Dorsey spent her early years in Bellport, LI, where she terrorized the village with her wild bike-riding skills.  Dorsey and her family moved to Philadelphia, PA. She was a graduate of Springside School, 1957, and spent her college years at Dickinson College.

A woman of many parts and passions - Editor, adventurer, world traveler, lover of pinot noir and ice cream (not necessarily together), determined, vivacious, generous, curious, mischievous. She loved to laugh and dance. That was our Dorsey…and more.

An avid reader and bridge player, Dorsey was devoted to her dogs, always kept her bird feeder full, and hoped that the two big hibiscus plants on her deck would keep attracting hummingbirds every summer. She loved to cook and especially to grill outdoors for her many friends. And she rarely stood still. In the summer, she focused on tennis and biking. In the winter, skiing was her passion. In between she travelled from Africa to Antarctica, from Italy to New Zealand and Australia. And late in life, she fearlessly took up scuba diving often remarking that she wished she could live underwater.

Moving to NY, Dorsey pursued her love of ballet and theater. She was also a proud member of the Blue Hill Troupe (an amateur theater company in New York City). She initially lent her skills to the backstage world building sets, props and costumes. But she made her memorable onstage debut as a furry creature called a “sprigand’ in the fanciful production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe. When in Quogue, she supported the Hampton Theater Company and rarely missed a production.

Her memory and legacy as the “Cool Aunt” will be missed beyond words. She is survived by her sister, Judith Gray Grieve, her nephews, Ross (Mary Jo) and Scott (Nancy) Grieve, and her Niece, Amy Grieve Brady, 7 “great” nieces and nephews, and 7 “great – great” nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a “celebration of life” for Dorsey on June 29, from 1:00 – 3:30 at The Quogue Club located at 47 Quogue Street Quogue, NY 11959

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Dorsey’s honor to:

Eastend Hospice
481 Westhampton‑Riverhead Road
PO Box 1048
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978‑7048
https://eeh.org

A private burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bellport, NY

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