Hazel Christine Gregory

Sunrise September 5, 1941 - Sunset December 9, 2024
On Monday December 9, 2024, our Mother Hazel Christine Gregory, age 83, peacefully passed away in her sleep at Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Storrs, Connecticut. Most knew her as Chris but many knew her by the name she adopted when she became a grandmother for the first time, Nan. She became everyone's grandmother not only to her grandchildren but to their friends and to many grown adults who enjoyed feeling the warmth and kindness of the love and care that she gave to all.
Nan was born on September 5, 1941, Labor Day, in Virginia Beach, VA to the late Jacob Agustus Gregory and Hazel Ann (Waller) Gregory. Chris came to New Haven, CT at age 19 to make a better life for herself and her family. She graduated from Wilbur Cross High School Adult Ed night school program, while working every day to provide for her family. She then attended and graduated from South Central Community College with her Associates degree and went on to get her BA in Social Work from New Hampshire College. She then went on to pursue a Masters degree at Springfield College and was one class shy of graduating when family issues caused her to withdraw from the MSW program.
Even without the MSW, Chris worked as a social worker with various community agencies in New Haven and retired from State Service as a DCF worker out of the Norwich office. Prior to retirement, she spent time living in Wilmington, Delaware where she worked as a Mental Health worker and a juvenile probation officer. She was a born advocate for others and would help anyone in need.
Chris was active in the Norwich Branch of the NAACP and helped re-establish the Willimantic Chapter of the NAACP.
Chris was a longtime member of the Unity Church of Greater Hartford where she became a Unity teacher and Prayer Chaplin. She was also a Justice of the Peace. She believed in the power of prayer to bring peace and comfort to others.
She dedicated her life to self-improvement through education and hard work to make a better life as a single mother with 2 children in the 60-70s. She embodied work ethic and instilled that in her children and grandchildren, their friends, and everyone she met.
Chris was a fun-loving, no-nonsense mother/grandmother to all, with a ready smile and quick wit! She loved to be around people and was the life of every party. It was impossible to meet her and not instantly love her.
Chris, affectionately known to her loved ones as Nan, is survived by her 2 daughters, Olympia Gregory, of New London, CT, Leah Ralls, of Willimantic, CT. Her beloved grandchildren William Gregory of New York, NY, Willie 'Jacey' Coleman III of Willimantic, CT, Whitney Coleman and wife Alexandria of East Lyme, CT, Deanna Coleman of New London, CT, Charles Brown of Mystic. CT and her three great grandchildren Skye Coleman of Willimantic, Lexington Coleman of East Lyme, CT, Alyse Manley of New London, CT. She is also survived by bonus granddaughter, Holli Manley of Willimantic who served as a special caregiver for Nan and her former son in law Willie Coleman Jr of Salem, who has always been like a son to her.
Her bonus grandchildren in Willimantic includes Marq Gaston, Latrone Connerly, Brittany Gaston, Raleigh Leggett, Jocelyn Smith, Tammy McLennon and their children Destiny, Damani, Dezman, Xavier, Dassiona, Latrone, Jr, Monet, Jasani, Simaya, and Duke.
She is also survived by her siblings Agnes Blagman of Clarksville, TN, Flossie Fisher of Richmond, VA, Gabriel Woodhouse of Virginia Beach, Zelda Hines of Charlottesville, VA, Diane Garland of Wallingford, CT, and David Waller of Winterville, NC. She was predeceased by her parents, her oldest sister Ruth Williams of West Haven, and her son in law, Gary Ralls of Willimantic. Her host of nieces and nephews were all very dear to her and she had a special relationship with each of them.
She was a great, longtime friend to many who will miss her dearly.
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