Vera Rascón Gregory

Our devoted wife, mother, aunt, nana, and friend, - Vera Rascón Gregory, age 95, of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Gina, and Leonard Gradillas. Vera was born on June 19, 1928, to Ramon and Delfina (Galindo) Rascón in Phoenix, Arizona. As a young child, Vera worked in west valley farms picking cotton and packing peaches at the Gradillas ranch as well as packing grapes during the season at the Tal’-Wi-Wi Ranch, Litchfield Park, AZ. 

Introduced to each other by a friend of the family, a matchmaker, Vera married the love of her life, Benjamin R. Gregory in 1951, - Benjamin had returned from serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII and made his career of 30 years, a retired Master Sergeant with the Arizona Army National Guard. Vera devoted her life to her family holding down the home front while Benjamin was serving in the Guard. She also was immensely proud of being a Christian humanitarian, fostering children, and sharing the good news of the gospel with her friends, family, and people that came into her life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. - This became her passion. 

At the time of Benjamin’s death in 1990, Vera and Benjamin had been married 39 years. Vera is preceded in death by her husband Benjamin, son Anthony, parents, Ramon and Delfina, and siblings, Rodolfo, “Bobby”, Genevieve “Eva”, Rachel “Baby”, Carlos “Charlie”, and Frank, “Pancho”. Vera will especially be remembered as a devoted mother to her five children – Luigina (Leonard) Gradillas, Anthony (Christine), Patrick (Joey), Benjamin III (Carrie), and Gabriel (Holly), Gregory. Vera is survived by her fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. During her lifetime, Vera became a strong advocate for many charitable organizations, was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Saint Agnes Roman Catholic Church, and a member of the Lay Carmelites Association, (Third Order). 

Our family is forever grateful for all the dedication and support during our mom’s autumn years. Many blessings go out to our family and friends. A special thank you to the loving hands that cared for our “Abuelita,” “Nana-Bonita”, “La-Nana”, and the Traditions Health Hospice Services care team. – (It Takes a Village). 

Visitation will be from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. on February 8th, 2024, at Whitney and Murphy Mortuary, 4800 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008 - with a rosary starting at 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on February 9th, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008, followed by burial at Saint Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008. A reception is to follow at the home of Gina and Leonard Gradillas, 10844 N. 125th Avenue El Mirage. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude organization, https://www.stjude.org/