Mary Lila Gregg

1930 - 2023

She always did things on her time, in her way...Mary Lila Gregg passed peacefully in her home on September 29th 2023, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born and raised in Waban, Mass, on October 19, 1930, Mary Lila White grew up with her brother James and attended Walnut Hill School in Newton, Massachusetts. During the summers, Mary Lila and her family rented farms in and around Brattleboro, and in 1942 bought a farm on Stoney Hill in Guilford. Her father was an avid antique car collector and Mary Lila loved sharing stories of learning how to drive in a Model T as her mom hid behind the barn, she came roaring down the hill, through the back pasture. At 19 years old, Mary Lila drove in a race in Greenfield, Massachusetts, proudly beating out the other women. She attended Bradford Jr. College and then the School of Nursing at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, where she met Michael Gregg.

After graduating from nursing school with a BS in Nursing, Mary Lila and Mike married on January 11, 1958 and began what would become an eventful life together. They lived for a short time in Hamilton, Montana, then moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where their first daughter, Pamela, was born. Mike then took a job with the Public Health Service and off they went to Lahore, Pakistan. It was there that their second daughter, Marianne, was born. Eventually, they landed in Atlanta, Georgia where they lived for 35 years. Their third daughter, Jennifer, was born in Atlanta and Mary Lila settled in as a doting mother and busy body. Not being one to stay on one project for too long, Mary Lila had her hand in many different endeavors. She traveled with Mike all over the world, became the chaperone all the classmates wanted on field trips, a fearless Girl Scout Leader, and all-around wonderful mother and wife. Mary Lila's summers were spent in Vermont with her girls and mother at the farm.

When Mike retired, he and Mary Lila moved up to the farm in Guilford, Vermont. Reestablishing her roots there, she once again kept busy, volunteering with several local groups: Guilford Cares, Windham Child Care, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Meals on Wheels. She and Mike would continue to travel part time, but as grandchildren started to appear, her life took a new look, she was Grammie. Mary Lila kept busy with many projects and fulfilled her endless curiosities, such as driving a bull dozer, working as a short order cook, driving a tractor trailer truck, and trying her hand at blacksmithing. She never committed to any of them for very long as there was always something else that caught her attention. Mike lovingly referred to her as his butterfly, flitting from one thing to another. She was a busy member of the Guilford Community Church. She has supported the church's Annual Christmas Bazaar with a donation of an American Girl Doll for their raffle for over 15 years.

Mary Lila will be remembered as a funny, generous, loving woman. She always had a story to tell and in her final months, spent many hours sharing these stories with those around her. She is missed by her daughters, Pamela Gregg McFadden, her husband Rich, of Dummerston, Vermont, Marianne Gregg Lawrence, her husband John, of Guilford, Vermont and Jennifer Gregg Geise, boyfriend Bob Penfield, of Preston, Connecticut. She was proud of her grandchildren David, Brandon, Corinne, Payton, Spencer, Jack and Hope and her four great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving husband Mike, her parents Duane and Lucille White, her brother James and her infant son Dana.

Her daughters invite you to come and share stories and hear other stories at her home (855 Stoney Hill Rd) on October 13th from 4:30-6:30 and/or October 14th at 11 am at the Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Dr., Guilford Vermont. She wants her life to be celebrated with color, music and laughter. At Mary Lila's request, please wear your brightest at the service. Remember: LIFE IS SHORT, EAT DESSERT FIRST (or at the very least, plan accordingly).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Guilford Cares, 93 March Davis Dr., Guilford, Vermont 05301; Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Dr., Guilford, Vermont 05301; or Guilford Fire Dept., 108 Guilford Center Rd, Guilford, Vermont 05301.

To share a memory or offer condolences to the family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.