Obituary of Mary Rose Gregg

Mary Rose Gregg, was born in Wheaton, Minnesota, on November 4, 1931. She was married to Richard L. (Dick) Gregg on June 17, 1951 in the Methodist Church, Oroville, California. She graduated Chico State College, lived in Gridley and taught Kindergarten at Woodrow Wilson School for 28 years. In retirement, she enjoyed a second home in Hawaii for 20 years. Mary was musically gifted and studied as a concert pianist. She shared her music with family and friends, playing for school functions and special occasions. She was active in the community through Junior Women’s Club, Lioness and the Presbyterian Church. She brought creativity into her class room, educating children through her interests in music, art, history and science. In the same fashion, she created a home full of love, compassion, encouragement, support and guidance. She engaged with her granddaughters as a dedicated and loving presence in their lives, sharing her gifts and enthusiasm for education and the arts. She played the piano in her home for enjoyment, and her family all enjoyed singing with her. It was a wonderful gift that she provided to her family. With summers away from the classroom, she enjoyed gardening and sharing her home with pool parties for friends and family. Camping was a weekend ritual, and Mary baked and cooked all week to provide for the family’s comforts while enjoying the great outdoors. She encouraged her children to participate in the county fair, exhibiting floral arrangements, art and science projects. Libby’s cannery provided equipment for the public to can fruits and vegetables for their pantries. Mary and her family all participated in the process, packing the cans, adding syrup or brine and watching as mechanized belts moved the cans for sealing. She encouraged her children to join in the school band, sports, Cub Scouts and Brownies, Demolay and Rainbow. She made sure that her granddaughters experienced wonderful summers in Gridley also, swimming, going to vacation bible school and sharing time with second cousins, always providing them with an enriching musical and art enhanced environment. When retirement came, Mary and Dick returned to their beloved Hawaii, where in their first years of marriage, Dick had been stationed with the U.S. Navy. They purchased land on the big island and built a home. They enjoyed the lifestyle that Hawaii has to offer, beautiful weather, gardens full of flowers, fresh fish, fruit, golf, and a relaxed life style. It was a delight for them to have visitors there. Mary always displayed caring, thoughtfulness and creativity in her children’s upbringing and they're grateful for the legacy she has given them. She is survived by her husband Dick; son Richard D. Gregg, of Oroville; daughter Kim Gilpatrick, of Nevada City; son Michael Gregg, of Susanville; granddaughter Michele Florentz; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Tyler and Tucker Florentz, of Orangevale; and step-granddaughter Victoria Olsen, Petty Officer serving in U.S. Navy. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sister Geraldine Read, and her granddaughter Denise. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel, 679 Ohio Street Gridley, California. Burial will be held on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Veterans Cemetery in Dixon, California. Arrangements entrusted to Ramsey Funeral home 530-534-3877.