Mary B Gregory

Mary Bell Bickel Gregory, 95, of New Florence, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning 8/23/26 surrounded by the love of her family.

Mary was born May 15, 1931, at Winona, West Virginia the daughter of the late Thomas and Abigail Bickel.

Mary shared 58 years of marriage with her beloved husband, David A. Gregory Sr., until his passing in 2011. Together, they raised six children and built a family that grew to encompass three generations. Through all the years and changes that a long life brings, family remained at the heart of Mary's life.

Mary was an avid gardener who adored flowers and took great joy in tending them. The patience, gentleness, and care she brought to her garden were also hallmarks of the way she lived her life. Above all, Mary was a devoted mother and beloved matriarch whose life was characterized by grace, modesty, patience, service, and an abiding love for her family. She gave generously of herself to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, quietly nurturing the generations that followed her and asking little in return.

Her love for her family was unconditional, and much of her life was marked by quiet self-sacrifice on behalf of those she loved. She also held an unwavering conviction about the importance of education and encouraged each generation of her family to pursue as much learning as possible. To Mary, education was never simply a means of finding a good job or achieving personal success. It was a way of developing the knowledge, judgment, and character needed to become a meaningful and productive citizen-someone prepared to contribute to family, community, country, and the wider world. That belief, and the example she set in living it, became an important part of the legacy she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Gregory Sr.; her grandson, John David "Johnny" Fisher; her daughter-in-law, Mary C. Gregory; her parents, Thomas and Abigail Bickel; and her siblings, Thomas, Jean, Florence, Bob, Dixie, and Peggy.

Mary is survived by her six children: David Gregory Jr.; Deborah Fisher and her husband, Dr. John Fisher; Garry Gregory and his wife, Amy Gregory; Dr. Bryan L. Gregory; Agatha Glusko and her husband, Theodore Glusko; and Donald Gregory and his wife, Ethel Gregory.

She is also survived by her thirteen grandchildren: Mary Muncy and her husband, Derek Muncy; Gregory Fisher and his wife, Melissa Gregory; Katie Sosnoskie and her husband, Merritt Sosnoskie; Timothy Glusko; Dr. Jacob Gregory; Dr. Luke Gregory and his wife, Dr. Kathryn Skolnick; Joe Leone; Jake Leone; Dr. Bryan D. Gregory, a Captain in the U.S. Air Force; Sam Gregory and his wife, Colleen Gregory; Zachery Gregory; Amanda Gregory; and Abbie Nickerson and her husband, Bailey Nickerson; and by her eight great-grandchildren: Johnny Muncy, Jenna Muncy, Olivia Sosnoskie, Jack Sosnoskie, Nora Fisher, Cayden Gregory, Sophia Gregory, and Bowen Nickerson, with another great-grandchild, expected by Luke and Kathryn, on the way.

Few measures of a life are more meaningful than the generations that follow it. Mary's 95 years encompassed extraordinary change in the world, but the enduring center of her life was the family she and David created together. Her life continues through her six children, thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, another great-grandchild soon to join the family, and the countless memories, traditions, stories, values, and bonds of love they share.

After a long life devoted to family, service, love, and the betterment of those who followed her, Mary leaves behind a legacy that will continue to bloom through the generations she so lovingly nurtured.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Special thanks to Concordia Hospice of Bethlen who provided hospice services.

At Mary's request, there will be no viewing or visitation. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date for family only. Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.