Jean Andrews Gregory

Jean Andrews Gregory, age 93 3/4, of Rockville, Maryland passed away peacefully at Suburban Hospital after a period of declining health in the early morning hours of March 16, 2023 with her daughter, Marty, at her side. One of her last visits was with her newest great-grandbabies that afternoon at the hospital.

She was born June 23, 1929 in New Rochelle, NY the third child and third daughter of the late Philip Augustus Andrews and Jessie McKean Andrews, both of Nashua, NH.

She grew up in New Rochelle, NY, graduating high school from The Ursuline School and from nursing school at New Rochelle Hospital School of Nursing, which was also the hospital where she was born. In 1950 she married the late John Baker Gregory. They were married for 43 years.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sisters, Julia "Judy" Norton Davey and Katharine "Kathie" W. Moyer, and her son-in-law, Dr. Stephen E. Becker. She is survived by her children: Katharine "Kathie" A. Becker of Towanda, PA, Martha "Marty" G. Blake and husband Michael P. Blake of Hagerstown, MD, Edward "Ted" O. Gregory of Rockville, MD and John Mc K. Gregory and wife Alicia Gregory of Germantown, MD. Her beloved grandchildren, whom she was very proud of: Charles E. Becker of Salt Lake City, UT, Dr. Sarah M. Eakin and husband Marc Eakin of Erie, PA, Rose E. Becker and partner Nural Mohamad of Perth, Australia, Amy J. Niemiec and husband Michael Niemiec of Athens, PA, Josef A. Becker and wife Julia S. Becker of Wyomissing, PA, Carley J. Gregory and husband Ben Carnow of Frederick, MD, Sidney E. Metcalf and wife Jennifer Metcalf of Frederick, MD, Mallory J. Mingus and husband Nathan Mingus of Columbia, TN, Aitch J. Gregory of Miami ,FL, Blaine Kiser of Raleigh, NC and Adam Kiser and wife Larae Kiser of St. Peterbough, England. Her great-grandchildren, which she felt so blessed to have and know, and gave her such joy: Corbyn Becker, Amelia and Madeline Eakin, Theodore "Theo" Becker-Mohamad, Helen and Stephen Niemiec, Cora Becker, Wolf Gregory-Carnow, Piper Newcomb, Sam, Charlie, Eli and Jasper Tousey, Deklan and Charlie Mingus, and Atticus Kiser. She is also survived by her nephew Philip Davey, and nieces Claudia Davey and Julia Linn Davey. She will also be missed by her canine companion, Bozo.

In the summers she spent most of her childhood at Wavus Camp for Girls in Jefferson, Maine on Lake Damariscotta as both a camper and counselor. The camp closed but started up again in the 90's and Jean took a granddaughter to help with the cleanup to get the camp going again. After Wavus reopened she took many of her "grands" over the next several years and was looking forward to attending the 100 year celebration last summer but her health wouldn't allow her to. It really taught her service to others, which was what she lived by.

After getting married John and Jean moved to Washington, DC. and she embarked on her 35 year long nursing career. During her nursing career she held many different positions including helping to set up the ICU/CCU in the mid 60's at Suburban Hospital, which she was very proud of, as well as OR nurse, staff nurse, private duty nurse and nursing home administrator. While working she started her family while living in Silver Spring, MD. She was very involved with her children when they were in school including as room mother, music lessons, ballet lessons, and soccer games. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, candle making, cake making and decorating, and about anything else she tried. Jean loved to take the Adult Education classes offered by Montgomery County schools.

She was a very kind and caring person and actively engaged in everything she did. She was very dedicated to her church, first at St. Andrews United Presbyterian Church from its formation in 1959 and later becoming a founding member of Rockville United Church in 1967 when it combined with Faith United Church of Christ. She was always on a committee and will be remembered for traveling with RUC groups to Scotland and Kenya, and to Garrett County, MD several times for Habitat for Humanity. Chairing numerous Christmas Bazaars, Gingerbread House building, Yard Sale organization, and so much more, she even sang in the choir for a while. She also loved the Rockville Senior Center, the dancing group, The Show Stoppers, The Red Hats, The Young In Hearts, The Carnation Players, traveling with the seniors on cruises, or shows, museums, dinners, and all of her friends. After COVID slowed down her social life she quickly adapted using the internet and Zoom to attend church on Sunday, to keep in touch with family and friends, and weekly book reading from her great grandson Deklan, and playing games on her iPad.

Luckily the few times she got COVID it was mild but it really changed her life, as COVID did for so many. Not being able to get out of the house to be with friends took its toll. She always said she wanted to live to be 100 but the last 3 years slowed her down. The 93 3/4 years she had was all Jean. She said, "Like little kids, old people start to count the months too." She will be missed by so many.

A Memorial Service will take place on June 24, 2023 at 11am at Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville, MD 20851. Website: rockvilleunitedchurch.org

The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to: A charity of your choice, Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, 8 West Middle Lane, Rockville, MD 20850, or Rockville Senior Cente, 150 Carnation Drive, Rockville, MD 20850