Grayce Elgar, of Tampa Florida passed away at the age of 99 on May 24th, 2026, two weeks before her 100th birthday. Recently a resident at Chapman Manor in Lutz, Florida, Grayce spent many happy years living in Carrollwood Village after having raised her family in original Carrollwood.

Grayce was born in Newark, New Jersey, on June 4, 1926, the second daughter of Arthur and Madora Smethurst. She and her sister Phyllis, who died in 1999, grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. While attending Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, she met Rodger Elgar, a student from nearby Union College. After finishing college, they married in November of 1949. Rodger found a job with Allied Stores, and soon after Grayce, Rodger, and Carolyn, their first daughter, born in 1953, moved to Tampa to pursue an opportunity at the department store, Maas Brothers. Two more children were born, Sally in 1955 and Rodger in 1958. The family enjoyed Florida living, moving into a new development, Carrollwood, in 1963. This was a wonderful neighborhood to raise a family in, a place where the children could safely ride bikes to school and walk to their friends’ houses. Grayce was very active in the community, participating in many organizations. She loved socializing and playing bridge as well as golf and tennis. In 1979, after all of her children had graduated from college and were off on their own, Grayce sold the family home and moved to Carrollwood Village. Soon after, she took up a career in real estate sales where she enjoyed much success throughout 1980’s.

In 1982, her husband Rodger passed away from cancer. A few years later, she met Dick Lawrence, who became her life companion. Grayce and Dick had a very busy social life, traveling to visit children and relatives. They played lots of golf and tennis. For many years, they spent summers in Lake Tahoe, Nevada where Dick had family. Dick passed away in 2023.

Grayce is survived by her children, Carolyn Elgar (Jim Williamson), Sally Elgar (Tom Papdinoff), and Rodger Elgar (Sherrie Elgar) as well as grandchildren Amy Lese (Justin Noah), Lauren Moehle (Mark), and Sarah Elgar (Brandon Phillips). In addition, she is survived by three great grandchildren, Leon, Josephine, and Henry Moehle.

A Celebration of Life for Grayce will be held at Carrollwood Country Club in the Emerald Room on June 6th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Humane Society, an organization Grayce supported her entire adult life, or a charity of your choice.