Eleanor May (Rich) Gregory
1924 –2011

West Springfield - Eleanor M. "Sue" (Rich) Gregory, 87, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. The only daughter of the late Howard Stanley Rich and Anna (Kastner) Rich, "Sue" was born on May 7, 1924 at home at 361 Morgan Road in West Springfield. She was predeceased by her husband Tony J. Gregory and her brother Edward Alvin Rich. Sue was a direct descendant of two of the original Pilgrim families that arrived on the Mayflower to found the Plymouth Colony. She attended school in her hometown and graduated from West Springfield High School and then worked at American Bosh and WICO before marrying Tony Gregory in 1947. As a young woman she took flying lessons at Barnes Airport, completed her solo flight requirement and was a member of the Civilian Air Patrol. Sue used her artist's eye for color and form to create wonderful crafts and numerous oil paintings. She also enjoyed attending auctions, refinishing furniture and attending craft fairs. Sue was an active member of the First Congregational Church in West Springfield for more than 50 years where she served as a deaconess, a member of the women's guild, women's fellowship, decorating committee, flower committee, library committee, nominating committee, and "Nimble Thimbles." In addition to volunteering at the Christmas Fairs and the Rummage Sales, she designed and painted both the wooden figures of three wise men used in the crèche on the front lawn and the Hope and Love banners displayed at the church for many years. She leaves behind a daughter Carol of West Springfield and a son Paul of New York City, as well as grandchildren Kate Gibson and Joe Hernandez both of New York City. Calling hours will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street on Saturday, August 6 from 3 pm to 5 pm. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 7 at 11:30 am at the First Congregational Church, 20 Lathrop Street, West Springfield. A private interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to The First Congregational Church of West Springfield.