We are sad to report that Geraldine Gregory, widow of alum George Gregory (BA ’42), and longtime supporter of the department, passed away on March 7, 2019.
Geraldine was the widow of alumnus George Gregory (B.A. ’42) a major benefactor of the department. George’s connection to UCLA began in 1941 when, on the basis of his studies abroad, he was admitted to UCLA as a senior; he graduated with a B.A. in 1942. Although his stay at UCLA was brief, his appreciation for the department’s willingness to accomodate his unusual academic background made him a life-long friend of the department. George was honored by the department in 1990 with the Glenn T. Seaborg Medal.
Upon his retirement as chairman and chief executive officer of the Glendale-based Products Research & Chemical Corportation (now a part of PPG Industries) in 1990, George established the George Gregory Research Award to support outstanding graduate students physical chemistry researchers in the department. He also established undergraduate fellowships in the department, was instrumental in establishing the Courtauld’s Chair (now the Dean M. Williard Chair), and funded a materials laboratory for a chemistry & biochemistry faculty member. George passed away in 2005 at the age of 87.
The Gregorys’ son, Gordon W. Gregory, also a longtime supporter and friend of the department, passed away in 2013.
From
Los Angeles Times
(March 13, 2019):
Geraldine Gregory (1924 – 2019)
February 10, 1924 – March 7, 2019 – Gerry, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Reseda, CA. “Gerry” Mae Weiner was born in Chicago, IL to Paul and Sophia Weiner who were immigrants from Russia. She was the oldest with two sisters, Iris (deceased) and June. Graduate of Chicago’s Hyde Park High School, Gerry moved to Los Angeles in 1942 and worked as a secretary at Universal Pictures. She met George Gregory at a Hollywood party hosted by the Laemmles and married April 18, 1947 to become a devoted, stately and gracious wife of 57 years to George Gregory, past CEO and President of Products Research & Chemical Corporation, Burbank, CA, until his death in 2005 at home in Encino, CA. They had three sons: Glenn (Corinne), Gordon (Gayle), and Alex. Survived by loving, dedicated son, Glenn, and daughter-in-law, Corinne; by beloved grandchildren Jayna (Nathan), Taryn, and Kendra daughters of Gordon (Gayle), Gregory and David and Christopher Hatcher, sons of Corinne; by adored great-grandson Greyson of Jayna (Nathan); by dear sister, June Maberry and by loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Gerry was the glue who held the family together, with her warmth, thoughtfulness, fierce loyalty, practicality, hard-work, intelligence, and generosity. She ensured that her family was well cared for in sickness, as well as in health, including her parents and in-laws. An accomplished homemaker and hostess, she entertained all with her fine cooking and humor; her kind hospitality is missed. She was artistic, creating beautiful wire sculptures, enamels, embroidery, and sewing. Passionate about the color purple, cats, and orchids, she also enjoyed gardening, decorating, reading, travelling the world, and preserving family photos in albums. Gerry was a good friend and will be sorely missed. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.Graveside services were held on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068 at 12:30 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
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Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
