Leslie Ann Gray died Sept. 28 at her West Tisbury home with her husband at her side. She lived bravely with metastatic breast cancer for nearly six years, determined to make the most of each day, and continuing to engage with hobbies and visits with friends. She was 72.

She was born June 14, 1949, in North Easton, to Gerald and Barbara Gray, who were both physicians. Inspired by her history teacher at Oliver Ames High School, Leslie earned her bachelor’s degree in education at George Washington University and a master’s degree in applied history at George Mason University. She then taught high school history for 30-plus years with the Fairfax County, Va. public schools outside of Washington, D.C.

Leslie was a classroom teacher, central office resource teacher and coordinator of history curriculum, teacher of advanced placement U.S. history, and reader of advanced placement essays for the Educational Testing Service. She chaired a department of 22 teachers and staff, which provided an opportunity to mentor teachers in her craft and discipline. Prior to retirement, she created and taught the history curriculum for the newly-established online campus.

In her final days, she wondered if she had made a difference to her students. Scores of admiring and grateful notes, emails and Facebook posts from students and parents left no doubt that she did. She was recognized at the White House as a National Presidential Scholar teacher and as Outstanding Teacher Historian by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. She was a member and gave many conference presentations at the National Council for Social Studies, and served as president of the Virginia Society for History Teachers.

Early in her career, she also was a musician. She and a partner performed folk music around the D.C. club and bar scene, and for years she led the folk music liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in D.C.

After a brief marriage ended in divorce, Leslie met the love of her life, Hunter Moorman, whom she married in June 1983. They lived in Arlington, Va., until permanently moving to the Vineyard, building their home in 1991 on Panhandle Road in West Tisbury.

Leslie’s green thumb yielded wonders in the garden. Her dedication was rewarded at the Agricultural Fair with ribbons for biggest tomato, garlic and many others. She became a skillful and inventive cook, complementing her efforts with locally sourced products whenever possible. The enthusiasms and travails of the home gardener, as well as her engaging writing style, are on display in her blog www.wearemadeofdreamsandbones.blogspot.com

Leslie volunteered with the Polly Hill Arboretum grounds crew for many years. She was also a member of the West Tisbury historic commission, served on the board and as treasurer of the Island Food Pantry, became a board member of Island Grown Initiative, and was a longtime member and president of the Want To Know club. She met weekly with friends to watercolor, and she became expert in tracing ancestry for family and friends.

She delighted in nature and outdoor activity. She loved tennis, skiing, camping, hiking and exploring forests and fields. She spent one memorable trip forest bathing in the Redwoods of northern California. She and Hunter spent many happy weeks touring the cities of Europe, Mexico and Southeast Asia, and hiked extensively in the Bernese Alps and Süd-Tyrol, as well mountains closer to home.

She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband; sister Mary Augustine of Easton; son James Wallace of Bangkok, Thailand; stepdaughter Anna-Karen Lentz and her husband Steffen; granddaughters Alicia Noélie and Chiara Julie of Hermetschwil-Staffeln, Switzerland; sisters in law Anne Reeves and her husband Ron of Wilbur-by-the-Sea, Fla., and Susan Southworth and her husband Gus of Enfield, N.H.

Interment was private at the West Tisbury Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to acknowledge the marvelous care of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Infusion Center and Hospice and Palliative Care of MV.

Donations can be made to the Polly Hill Arboretum, the Island Food Pantry (IGI), or Hospice and Palliative Care of MV.