Nancy Gregory

1959 - 2021

Nancy Gregory
September 24, 1959 - March 27, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas - OK, so I'm writing my own obituary. Some people think that evidences a control problem; I prefer to think of it as evidencing preparation. Either way, there are some things I want to say starting with how could I possibly have lived such a blessed life full of such wonderful people? My life was enriched by my faith, my family, my friends and colleagues - I am so grateful for all of you. I have a very strong faith and was never afraid of my battle with cancer . . . this battle put me closer to heaven and for that, I am overwhelmed, grateful and blessed. Praise God.
Born Nan Ellen Olsen (there were five living "Nans" in my family at the time so Nancy became my nickname) in Austin, Texas on September 24th, 1959 to Nan Bray Olsen and Paul Roger Olsen. Raised in Austin with brothers Mark and Todd Olsen, who I am lucky to call both friends and brothers - did I ever love them both. I proudly attended Austin public schools – Barton Hills Elementary, Porter Junior High and Austin High School (go Maroons!).
A graduate of Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, I got not only a good education (although upon reflection, I spent quite a bit of time on Tri Delta, soap operas and Miller Lite) but built lifelong friendships that were woven through my life. Sharing that college experience with my first husband, Mike Brabandt, who passed away in 1992, and both brothers and a sister-in-law was also very meaningful.
Without a doubt, the cherry on my blessing pie was my husband, Todd Gregory. God gave him to me unexpectedly 22 years ago and for that, I'll be eternally grateful. I often describe him as "the best person I've ever known" (and I've known a lot of great people!) – he is kind, generous, caring, funny and extremely smart (don't let the "I'm just a little ole boy from the farm" fool you). He made me better (or at least he tried!) and gave me two additional gifts – Elyssa Gregory and Zack Gregory, for whom I'll always be grateful (and grateful to their mother for sharing them with me).
A 40-year career in financial services (again, time to insert, OMG, how could she have been in the workforce for 40 years?), began with the Texas Department of Banking where I learned the fundamentals of banking as an examiner (scary thought that a 21-year-old was telling bank executives what to do – of course we had oversight, but when I look back, I sort of shudder). Following that great foundation, I enjoyed careers at Highland Park National Bank, Comerica Bank, J.P. Morgan, Commerce Street Capital and MUFG Union Bank, gaining experience at both de novo and regional banks and some of the largest banks in the world, retiring in 2020. I had the good fortune to work with fantastic people and mentors, allowing me the opportunity to contribute executive leadership and experience across a broad area of banking including lending and credit administration, community development, marketing, sales management and wealth management.
Despite many weaknesses (those are not usually detailed in obits, so I'll move past that), I tried to live my life as a woman of purpose and have been guided by four primary principles: faith, integrity, equality, and kindness. So many people have given so much to me, and I tried hard to give back in equal measure. My longest community service membership included the Junior League – I was a member in Dallas, New York and Fort Worth – it was enriching to see the impact that volunteer power and fund raising can have on the community and I was fortunate to contribute to that. Leadership Dallas and Leadership Texas were also very rewarding experiences for me as was my membership in the Jewel Charity Ball and Cook Children's Hospital Experience the Mission in Fort Worth. I was involved in many other community organizations including the Dallas Affordable Housing Partnership, Tri Delta Alumnae, Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT), Center for Housing Resources, Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Texas Wall Street Women. I was also blessed to be a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth.
My honorary pallbearers recognize the smart, giving and caring women who helped create the person I became. Of course, I was privileged to know outstanding men as well (my husband, son, brothers, father, father-in-law, uncle, nephews, friends and colleagues), but want to especially honor the women in my life as honorary pallbearers (it's honorary because, "don't put me in a casket ever!"):
Posthumously, I have to start with my mother, Nan Bray Olsen, who believed in me always – much more so than I deserved! She was the gold standard when it came to loving her children and very much influenced the principles of my life. My grandmother, Nan Williams Bray, was also a huge influence on my life and was a former teacher and AISD school board member for 16 years (she essentially did my Latin homework for me but I was her favorite so what can I say?). And my aunt, Judy Wallace Bray, who was there for me and my family in countless ways. In many ways, they were women before their time, and I was the beneficiary of their vision and confidence in me.
Additional honorary pallbearers are my aunt, Ruthann Bray Rushing, who was as much my friend as my aunt; my mother-in-law, Dottie Gregory, who epitomizes grace and caring; daughter, Elyssa Gregory, who showed us all how to love unconditionally; sisters-in-law and nieces, Dana Gregory, Shannon Gregory, Connie Olsen, Pam Olsen and Madison Olsen (whose passion is contagious and who constantly inspired me to think), Payton Gregory McKinney, Mackenzie, Avery, Kylie, McKauley and Landrie Gregory; cousins, Becky Bray, Ali Martineau and Deirdre Millan; the rarest of friends, Bretagne Ragland Cowan and McKenzie Cowan DePriest; and business mentors, Elaine Agather and Mary Allis Curran, who provided roadmaps of executive leadership to so many.
My sincerest thanks to the amazing medical team at UT Southwestern in both Dallas and Fort Worth. They literally and figuratively wrapped me up in a warm blanket of cutting-edge healthcare and heartfelt kindness. Dr. David Miller, Dr. Jessica Parker, Kelly Logan, Amanda Westwood and Ashley Ryan are among the many for whom my gratitude cannot be adequately expressed.
My hope is to be remembered through the kindness of others . . . please spread kindness, not only to those close to you but to others. If you will each demonstrate an act of kindness in my memory, that would be so meaningful to me. If you wish to make a memorial contribution (and, really, who wouldn't want to do this?), please consider First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, First Street Mission or Methodist Justice Ministry – you may give online at https://fumcfw.org/give/
Lastly, please take care of my sweet husband – he likes to be with people so you're going to all need to fill in for me!
Sharing my love with all of you from Heaven.
Memorial Service: First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth Texas; 2pm Central Time, April 3rd, 2021 in person or live-streamed at https://fumcfw.org/live/ No Flowers please. Enjoy the Easter Lilies in the Sanctuary and support the church in the link above.