Amanda L. Grayson

Amanda L. Grayson, 54, departed this life on Sept. 25 after a valiant fight with breast cancer. She is survived by her beloved husband, of 30 years, Larry T. Grayson; her dear mother, Pauletta L. Rossi; sister and brother-in-law, Amy Rossi and Joe Bryan; and brother, John Paul Rossi. She took pride and joy in her surviving nephews and great nephew, Nathan and Nicholas Bryan, and Trevor Rossi and son, Hayden. She also loved her niece, Julia Grayson Hamra and nephew, Brian Grayson. Her two life long "sister-friends," Carolyn Oates and Dinah Henderson, will continue to celebrate Mandy's life and enduring friendship. She was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Rossi; and her grandparents, John and Katie Rossi, and Paul and Alva Snow. Mandy was raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas and was an all state cheerleader in High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She worked for PGI/Chicopee since she was 19 years old, retiring as Human Resources Manager in 2009. Although illness kept her from attending her retirement celebration, the companies' employees prepared a love gift of mementos and letters of affection which she treasured. Mandy never met a stranger and loved to make friends with the clerks at her favorite shopping venues. A die-hard Razorback fan, she had the best seat in the house to watch the Saturday Shoot-out. Throughout her life she was known for her positive outlook, her good humor, her caring spirit and her great faith. Always a dog owner, Bailey and Rudy have been her two cherished pets. No words are adequate to say how she will be missed. The family expressly thanks her doctor, Dr. Laura Hutchins, and special nurses, Cathy Brants and Donna Waterman, for their loving care of Mandy and her family over the last few years. Memorials can be sent to the Winthrop Rockefeller Center for Cancer Research for Women's Heath and/or to the Susan B. Komen Foundation, AR Chapter. A Funeral Mass will celebrate her life at 10 a.m., Tuesday at St. Patrick's Church. Family visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. with Rosary to follow, Monday, at North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.