Harriet Gregory

Gregory, Harriet R. MADISON/MONONA-Harriet Ruth Gregory, age 83, died on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, at her home, at the Arbors in Madison. She was born April 21, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Harlan and Ruth Bigalow and grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Harriet attended Purdue University, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and received her 50 year Dove pin in 1996. Harriet married Dick Gregory on Aug. 29, 1949, in Shaker Heights, Ohio; they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They moved to Madison in 1951 and then to Monona in 1953. Harriet was active in the Monona United Methodist Church and the Monona Chapter of AAUW, and was a charter member in the formation of both groups. In 1972, Harriet received her teaching degree certificate from Edgewood College. She worked in the Monona and Madison school systems until her retirement in 1978. Dick and Harriet enjoyed camping and traveling with their family in the early years, as well as traveling extensively in their retirement and visiting Elderhostels. An avid reader, Harriet was a member of many book clubs. She especially enjoyed watching her childrens' and grandchildrens' sporting events as well as watching Packers and Purdue games. Survivors include her husband, Dick Gregory; seven children, Bob (Judy Andrews) Gregory of Granville, N.Y., Jim (Annette) Gregory of Sugar Grove, Ill., Barbara (Charles) Buskirk of Fort Atkinson, Susan Gregory of Ypsilanti, Mich., Joan (Steven) Misustin of McFarland, Douglas (Kathleen) Gregory of Cross Plains, and Laurel (Shilpi Banerjee) Gregory of Eden Prairie, Minn.; grandchildren, Jim and Jason Gregory of Sugar Grove, Ill., Emily Buskirk Muecke of Tampa, Fla., Sarah Misustin of Milwaukee, Keith Misustin of McFarland, Aaron, Kyle and Lauren Gregory of Cross Plains, and Lucette Olson of Eden Prairie, Minn.; a sister, Jeanne Tripp of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and a brother, Jim Bigalow of New Milford, Conn.; as well as two great-grandchildren, Vivian and Eva Muecke of Tampa, Fla.; along with nieces, nephews and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Kupfer; and grandsons, Jonathon Gregory and Andrew Buskirk. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at MONONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, at 11 a.m., with Pastor David Byers-Dent and Pastor Sandra Gaylord co-officiating. Friends may call on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Monona Public Library or to Monona United Methodist Church in Harriet's name.The family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Albert Musa for his loving care throughout the years and to Dr. Peter Beatty for giving us these very special months. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Monona Public Library or to Monona United Methodist Church in Harriet's name. Visitation: Friends may call on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Service: Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at MONONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, at 11 a.m., with Pastor David Byers-Dent and Pastor Sandra Gaylord co-officiating.