Florence E. Grey, “Mickey,” age 89, passed away Monday, Dec 3, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 28, 1923, the first of three children of the late Albert and Gladys (Nee: Conrad) Schorle.
As a young girl, her father’s job brought the family to Toronto, Canada. Mickey took an early interest in music and learned to play the trumpet. In 1948 she toured with Virgil Whyte’s All Girl Band. Later she settled down in Washington, D.C., and worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. During this time she also taught herself the bass and played and sang in a girls trio. After three years she returned home to Toronto. Saxophonist Norbert Gosieski knew Mickey back in 1947 while she was working at a Racine factory office. When he was discharged as a U.S. Army Bandsman in 1953 he called Toronto and asked her to join his quartet to tour professionally.
On August 6, 1955, in Traverse City, MI, they were united in marriage. Mickey and Norby played with their quartet for many years while at the same time running the family business, Gosieski Music, from 1956 until their retirement in 1999. Mickey was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.
Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Norby; her daughter, Noreen (Nate) Lienhard of Wayne, NJ; granddaughter, Karlyn Lienhard; brothers, Albert (Jean) Schorle, Donald Schorle of Canada; other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Mike; sister-in-law, Trudy Whyte; brothers-in-law, George Gosieski and Chester Goss.
Private services will be held.
Being an avid Mickey Rooney fan as a child, she adopted the nickname “Mickey,” which stuck for the rest of her life.
MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
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