Thursday, October 9, 2008

Barbara Joan Gregor 1927-2008

My grandmother, Barbara Joan Gregor, passed away on September 26th. Here is her obituary:

"Barbara Joan Gregor, 81, of Carlisle died Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, in Carlisle Regional Medical Center. She was born March 14, 1927, in Detroit, Mich., and was a daughter of the late Geoffrey and Dorothy May (Broadbent) Whittaker.

Barbara graduated from Redford High School in Detroit and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Michigan State University, where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Carlisle, where she was the first woman elected to serve on the Vestry, a Sunday School Teacher, past president of E.C.W. and chairman of the church photo directory for many years. Barbara was a former member of the Carlisle Garden Club, a past president of the Carlisle Civic Club, and was very active in the production of the former Carlisle Hospital Follies. She was an avid bridge player, a poet and a creator of word games.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John R. Gregor; one son, John G. (and his wife, Wendy) Gregor of Vineland, N.J.; two daughters, Judith Lynn Shiffler (and her husband, Bruce) of Carlisle and Donna Whitesel (and her husband, William) of Nebraska City, Neb.; one sister, Nancy Frye of Birmingham, Mich.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."


She made a mini LIFE magazine issue to announce her engagement:

This one was taken at our PA wedding reception in my parents' backyard:

This is the day of the funeral:

She was a wonderful woman who was very involved with her kids' and grandkids' lives. She was witty; she loved puns. I love them as well, and I can remember shooting them back and forth at dinners at her house. She is sorely missed by all.

3 comments:

Judy said...

Thank you Brooke for a beautiful tribute.

furrever said...

What a lady! I'm sorry for your loss. Those are some great pictures to have to remember her by. I can totally see the resemblance to your mom. Please send her my condolences.

Sally said...

Brooke -

I didn't realize your family was so involved in Carlisle history. It's weird that sometimes it takes a major life event to learn more about people. I'm so sorry to hear she passed away. She looks quite a bit like you and your mom (or you look like her). Send my sympathies to your mom. We will keep you and your family, especially your grandpa, in our prayers.