Ruth Gregory

Some people live a lifetime before they are old enough to comprehend the struggles and hardships they have lived through. For Iris “Ruth” Gregory, the early years of life were difficult and it made her wise beyond her years, but it also instilled in her a strong will. With her quick wit, Ruth was one to react in a positive manner even in the worst of circumstances, but her greatest joy came from her family whom she loved dearly. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by those she leaves behind.

After World War I, soldiers returned home expecting to find good jobs and instead were faced with unemployment, rising prices and strikes. Other significant changes were also taking place as women had a new role in society and prohibition was in place. But in the quaint farming town of Simcoe located in southwestern Ontario, Canada nestled near Lake Erie, one Easter Sunday was filled with much anticipation as Frank and Mary Alice (Howick) Robinson welcomed the birth of a beautiful baby girl on April 4, 1920 and lovingly named her Iris Ruth.

Ruth began her young life living a typical childhood filled with laughter and play. But life as she knew it came to an end when her mother died. Ruth was just seven years old at the time and it was hard for her father to raise her on his own so Ruth went to live with her grandmother, Susan Howick. Ruth always remembered these times with her grandmother, especially when she allowed Ruth to eat dessert before her main meal. While there, Ruth attended the local schools and came to excel in her spelling studies where at one point she even won a spelling bee.

At the age of ten, Ruth was forced to move around to various relatives homes during the difficult days of the Depression. It was an especially trying time for Ruth after her mother died and with her father away with work, it was particularly hard for her during these formative years. Her father knew she was being well cared for and was able to visit during the holidays.

Finally settling in with her Aunt Iva and Uncle Frank Anderson in the Irish Hills region of Devils Lake in southeastern Michigan, Ruth worked in their family grocery store and began to feel settled. With a love for animals, Ruth enjoyed times in life when she had a dog named Mykee and a black and white cat named Sylvester. With other relatives in the area, Ruth also enjoyed times riding the trains to visit family in Canada with her Uncle Lynn who was a train engineer. Her Aunt Iva taught her how to embroider and also taught her how to dance. She was a good dancer and it became a lifelong love for Ruth. Keeping up with her studies, Ruth attended the area schools and in 1939 graduated from Addison High School in Detroit, Michigan.

With the onset of World War II, much attention was placed on the war effort and concern for the troops overseas, but it was also a time of wonderful big band music and nightly dances in town. Now in her 20s, Ruth became an accomplished dancer and already outgoing, she even found enjoyment riding on motorcycles with friends. But it was while dancing that Ruth met the love of her life. At the age of 30 she was literally swept off her feet by Dode Gregory as everyone stopped to watch the pair dance. Before long in September of 1950 they were blessed in marriage and over the course of the following seven years they welcomed the birth of six children into their lives. With not much time for themselves and after moving to St. Johns, Michigan in 1968, their marriage ended in divorce.

Ruth supported her family with work as a clerk at the Mid-Michigan District Health Department in St. Johns where she remained over the next 25 years. When the company brought computers into the office in 1995, Ruth decided it was time to retire as she felt more comfortable using a typewriter. The years brought much happiness into Ruth’s life as she watched her children grow and have families of their own. She found great joy being in their company and spent her free time reading, especially about history and mystery novels. She also enjoyed cooking and had a love of flowers, not to mention a love for shopping and watching the QVC network.

In 2004 Ruth began to experience problems when her eyesight began to fail. It was then that she began talking on the telephone more to keep in touch with family and friends. When diabetes started to give Ruth more trouble in 2008, her health deteriorated rapidly but even throughout this time, Ruth’s tenacity and wit remained strong. Sadly, at the age of 89, Ruth died at home on Sunday, September 6, 2009 with her family by her side just as she always wanted. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving are her children, Jacqualyn Lehman (Dave), Cheri (Rich) Boak, and Robert Gregory all of St. Johns, Richard E. Gregory of Ithaca, Roger (Bonnie) Gregory and Rob Gregory also of St. Johns; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Fedewa Gregory.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with the Rev. Hugh Banninga officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Tuesday at Osgood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Meals On Wheels and Senior Meals Program, c/o Tri-County Office On Aging, 201 E. Walker St., St. Johns, MI 48879. Please visit

www.lifestorynet.com to submit a favorite memory or photo of Ruth or to sign her online guest book.