Thelma ‘Ann’ Gregory, beloved wife of Urich native Donald Gregory, passed away peacefully May 4, 2025 in San Rafael, CA after a long and vibrant life. Although they lived in California, Ann and Don kept a home in Urich for 30 years, making regular visits there to see family and friends.
Born on January 10, 1934 in Vancouver, Canada, the only child of William Maurice and Rosalind Greenslade, Ann moved from tiny Crescent Beach, British Columbia to bustling San Francisco with her parents in 1946 when she was twelve. A gifted student, she attended Everett Junior High and graduated valedictorian of Mission High School in 1951, receiving a scholarship to U.C. Berkeley. Unfortunately, a hospitalization ended her college career in her freshman year.
After an earlier marriage to a high school classmate that ended in divorce, Ann met the love of her life and future husband Donald Gregory in December 1958, while he was on a temporary work assignment at Pacific Gas & Electric in San Francisco where she worked. She married Don at the Presidio Chapel on November 20, 1961, becoming Mrs. Ann Gregory. Part of their honeymoon was spent in Urich at the home of Don’s father, Donald V. Gregory and step-mother, Celestine, and brother Richard. There, the newlyweds were treated to a shivaree by Ann’s new family.
Their daughter Linda was born the following summer and Ann became a full-time homemaker. In 1963 they left foggy San Francisco and moved into a newly built home in sunny San Rafael. Their son Mitchell was born the following year. Ann quickly became active in her new community, serving on the school PTA and for Sunny Hills school, creating stupendous handmade piñatas with only balloons, newspaper, paste and tissue paper for their Grape Festival fundraiser supporting youth mental health programs.
Always a scholar, Ann went back to college, graduating with an Associates Degree from College of Marin in 1973 as her proud family cheered her on. She returned to the workforce in 1978 and worked for the County of Marin, California, for 16 years in the municipal court system, first in the traffic division and then as a courtroom clerk. After retiring in 1994, she continued working part-time for Marin’s Peace Conversion Commission and volunteered for both the District Attorney’s office and Marin County Association of Retired Employees, MCARE.
Her dedication to her community was further expressed through her active involvement in many organizations, including Northbay Footprint Chapter, Bay Area Thunderbird Owner’s Club, Marin Rod & Gun Club, Marin Genealogical Society, San Rafael Elks and Santa Cop. During visits to Urich she volunteered at the annual Urich Reunion and helped with Don’s High School Class dinner. Legend has it that she and Don only missed one reunion in 30 years.
In retirement, Ann and Don enjoyed expeditions to the Galapagos, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Japan and Tahiti with their hiking clubs and retirement groups. She and Don also explored much of the United States. Of her many travel adventures, rafting the Colorado River on a 13-day excursion was an unforgettable highlight. Although she had travelled the world, Ann treasured the quieter country life and her time in Urich with Don at their little house on Maple Street.
Ann's fondest delight were her grandchildren: Matthew and Eddie Grey of San Rafael, Michael and Katherine Gregory of San Diego, CA and Menemsha Abeyasekera and Jeffrey T. Grey of Maine. She especially loved decorating and welcoming family members home for her favorite holiday, Christmas.
Ann is deeply missed and lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and an active citizen, caring community leader, and a friend and neighbor. Those who desire may make contributions in her memory to the Urich Historical Society museum. Condolences may be expressed at: https://gb774.app.goo.gl/y8X9m
