Services will be Monday and Tuesday for Dolly Gregory who passed away peacefully on May 11, 2009 surrounded by her loving family.
Dolly was born in San Francisco, CA on February 9, 1920, the daughter of Anita and Dan Demos. She grew up in Davenport. After graduating from Santa Cruz High School, Dolly Demos married her childhood friend, Alvin Gregory on December 1, 1940. Together they created a loving home for their children, Leon and Eleanor. Dolly and her late husband Alvin, together with Alvin's brother, Francis and his wife, Hazel owned and operated Gregory's Country Store for 30 years.
Dolly was an active member of the Davenport community. In her earlier years she participated in the 4-H sewing and cooking classes led by Mrs. Elsie Collins, a beloved native Hawaiian teacher. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Altar Society and the Sewing Club and she created countless mouth watering desserts for the numerous Improvement Club card parties and the Davenport Volunteer Fire Department Dances.
Dolly took special pride in creating a warm and friendly atmosphere in her home. She designed and made drapes, cushions, flower arrangements and other decorative items. Dolly and Alvin shared a special and loving marriage for 66 years. They enjoyed a rich array of activities including folk and square dancing, travel abroad, church events and working on the Davenport/Coast Road Reunion Committee. They were very proud to have been interviewed for the Davenport Coast Road History Project, which was organized by Alverda Orlando.
Art and all things creative defined the soul of Dolly's world. She especially loved oil painting, had a one woman show and was elected to a lifetime membership in the Santa Cruz Art League. Whatever she touched became special and unique: from planting a garden, to cooking for the family, to frosting a cake; she had a special artistic way of swirling the icing.
Dolly is survived by her son, Leon D. Gregory of Santa Cruz, daughter Eleanor O'Connor and her husband, Jack of Petaluma and her grandson, Matthew Schmitka of Petaluma. She is also survived by her loving brother Alvin Demos and his wife, Mary of Hollister. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin V. Gregory in 2007 and her brothers, Mike, Andy and Anthony. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz, CA Tuesday May 19, 2009 at 11:00 am. A vigil prayer service will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA Monday May 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Visitation will be at the chapel on Monday from 1:00 pm until service time. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.
Remembrance first published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.com
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