Mary Alice Gregory

A gentle and kindhearted woman, Mary Alice Gregory was a true blessing in the lives of those around her. Her life was not without times of great trial, yet she rose above every challenge with her unwavering faith as her constant companion.

A more devoted mother would be hard to find as Mary Alice worked tirelessly to show her children how deeply they were each uniquely loved.

A woman of structure and timeless wisdom, she was a great conversationalist who never had an unkind word to say about anyone. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Mary Alice created a timeless legacy that will live on in the lives of those who follow her.

The Great Depression continued to blanket our nation in the year 1935 that brought with it an unemployment rate that still hovered just over 20 percent. War clouds were gathering overseas as Germany began their relentless pursuit of stripping Jews of their rights. Babe Ruth hit the final home run of his career during this year while Parker Brothers released their latest game called Monopoly. This year boasted of great joy for one young couple from Ostrander, Ohio, as they were overjoyed to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl. Mary Alice drew her first breath on June 10th of that year as one of two girls born to her parents, Dale and Eula (Mitchell) Willey. She was raised in the family home alongside her younger sister, Carolyn.

During her earliest years Mary Alice’s parents had a farm on which they raised chickens and processed hay, and they also had a milk pickup and delivery route. As she got a bit older they had a restoration business in Delaware, Ohio, that specialized in repainting local bridges and buildings. Mary Alice experienced an upbringing that was not unlike the lives of other young people of her generation. At one time she had a black lamb as a pet, instilling a nurturing spirit within her. Mary Alice attended local schools including Scioto Valley Local High School where she excelled in her studies. Throughout her high school career she earned all A’s and B’s, except for one C+ in Latin. Mary Alice was involved in other school activities, too, as she also played the coronet and was a member of the school’s softball team. She was in the national honor society and went on to graduate from high school on May 20, 1953. As a young woman Mary Alice loved ballroom dancing, so much so that she competed internationally for a time.

Life was forever changed for Mary Alice when she met the man who stole her heart. His name was Charles “Bugs” Gregory, and they were married after falling deeply in love. As a young newlywed Mary Alice worked as a cashier at a local A&P store in Ohio. She got to and from work every day in an old Model A that her husband gave her. When their first of three children was born, Mary Alice left the work force to stay home and care for their home and children. They were blessed with three children altogether including Frieda, Mark, and Charles “Bruce.” Shortly after their youngest child was born Bugs and Mary Alice relocated their family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he worked as a superintendent in the construction industry with the majority of the projects he was responsible for being the construction of high rises.

The Gregory family was dealt a devastating blow when Bugs was tragically killed in a boating accident on June 8, 1963. Suddenly a single mother with three young children to raise, Mary Alice moved to Paw Paw, Michigan, where she lived with her family. While her children were growing up she spent several years working as a Vanda Beauty consultant, although her children were always her main focus. She made sure that Christmas morning and birthdays were special days for her children, and she never missed an opportunity to tailor these celebrations to the likes and personalities of her children. Vacations generally were spent visiting family members at reunions and camping outings as Mary Alice made the development of her children’s close relationships with their cousins, aunts, and uncles a priority.

Throughout her life Mary Alice always seemed to be doing something. In fact, she was the master of making a “to do” list every day, and she always made sure she got everything on her list done because her day timer calendar was also open on her table as well. After working as a beauty consultant for many years Mary Alice tried her hand at secretarial skills, and she also worked as a nurse’s aid for a time. She was a woman of faith who was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw for many years. When looking to relax at home Mary Alice could often be found reading her Good Old Days magazine or watching some of her favorite people and shows including Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, Lawrence Welk, Wheel of Fortune, and CNN. When it came to her favorite snack foods, she never could resist Little Debbie snack cakes and Hershey bars, usually with a diet Coke as well.

Through the life she lived each day, Mary Alice Gregory exemplified what it looks like to be a woman of grace, compassion, and quiet strength. She fully embraced every moment she was given while loving those she treasured along the way. Mary Alice’s main focus in life was always on her children as even when they grew older and established families of their own, she remained abreast of their daily lives. Although she will be deeply missed, her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of all those she leaves behind.

Mary Alice Gregory died December 6, 2011, at her home in Lawton. Mary Alice’s family includes her 3 children: Frieda (Leon) McCaskill, Mark (Becky) Gregory and Charles “Bruce” (Julie) Gregory; 6 grandchildren: Laura, Robert, Christina, Dale, Charlene and Mackenzie “Mack”; 2 great-grandchildren: Logan and Laurianna; niece, Margaret (William) Guinco, nephew, Frank Williams and several cousins. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Bugs” Gregory; sister, Carolyn Williams; and by her parents. Learn more about Mary Alice, view her Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw; 60900 M-40, 657-3870. Services will be held Saturday 4:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Paw Paw followed by a dinner in the church hall. Burial will take place later in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Please visit Mary Alice’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign her memory book. Memorial donations may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, Paw Paw or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.