Florence Marie Gregg

Flo Gregg passed peacefully to be with her Savior on Friday morning, September 19th, in Salem, Oregon. Born Florence Marie Rudolph on January 14, 1928 in Crafton, Pennsylvania, she was also fondly known as “Flossie.” She grew up the youngest of 4 children during the depression and yet her memories were fond of that era, feeling protected from the turmoil of the times by her extended family. She learned to be creative and resourceful. One of her favorite memories was of a carnival she and her sisters made in their backyard. They charged straight pins for admission as their mother needed them in order to sew their clothes. After high school graduation, Flo was awarded a partial scholarship to Mount Mercy College in Crafton. Her greatest desire was to study merchandising, but with no such options at Mercy, she opted for Speech and Radio. She developed her own radio show reading bedtime stories to children. Flossie was known as “The Sand Lady” by the children. Later switching her major to Sociology, one class in particular stood out to her – “Marriage and Family.” It was here she was taught to choose a life mate with skills of the “head, heart, and hands.” This class served her well, as she was soon to meet the love of her life, Ted Gregg. Ted and Flossie met as a blind date arranged by her best friend, Connie Ash, Ted’s sister. The two were smitten immediately. Flossie’s father required her to graduate from college before marrying Ted, so their courtship lasted 4 years. They were finally married on May 24, 1952. Ted, with a degree in engineering was quickly climbing the corporate ladder. His work moved them from Pittsburg, to Chicago, then to Rhode Island and finally Corvallis. Along the way they started their family. The addition of Connie, TR, Michael, and Amy made for a full house. Moving to Corvallis in 1967, Ted and Flo quickly became involved in leadership at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and helped to establish the People of Praise Community on 53rd and Nash. A smaller group, the “Ameners” and Flossie’s Caritas ladies, were sources of great strength and joy for Flo. She was a wonderful prayer warrior and loved Jesus with all her heart. It was shortly thereafter that Flo was able to realize her dream of merchandising as she opened a small retail shop next to her daughter’s business, Connie’s Country Cupboard on Main Street in Philomath. “Flossie’s” carried specialty cards and candy, but was best known for her kindness to her customers and Flo’s ever compassionate listening ear. She and Ted were residents of Philomath for 25 years before moving to a Salem assisted living facility three and half years ago to be closer to their daughter, Connie. It was there they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with many family and friends. Flo was in memory care for last 2 years, well cared for by the folks at Tierra Rose. She brought much joy to her family with her ability to remember all her favorite songs and sing them together. Flo is survived by her loving husband, Ted, sister, Mary Kay Wolfston, children Connie (Tim McDonald), TR (Marcy Gregg), Michael, Amy (Matt Bougeois), 8 wonderful grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, and several step grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she and Ted claimed as their own. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th Street, Corvallis. Any memories you’d like to share would be greatly appreciated by logging onto flossiegregg.blogspot.com.

Tributes

Florence Marie Gregg

January 14, 1928 - September 19, 2014