Sadie Darlene McGregor, 86, of Livermore, Calif., a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 18, 2007.
Her memorial service was Dec. 15 in the regional meeting room of the Dublin Civic Center at Dublin, Calif.
Darlene was born on July 29, 1921, at Downey, Idaho, to Guy Ernest Tripp and Sadie Elizabeth Criddle. She lived most of her early years in Idaho and Oregon.
She married Vernon McGregor in 1941. Their marriage lasted 64 years, until John died in 2005.
As a couple, their first move was to Wonderland, Calif., where John worked on the construction of Shasta Dam. Shortly afterward, John was called to serve in World War II, leaving Darlene stateside as a soldier’s wife.
She returned to Oregon to live with her parents, awaiting the birth of her first daughter. After the war ended, Darlene and John lived at Baker City just long enough to welcome their second daughter.
The desire for stable work motivated a move to California. A third daughter was born shortly after the family moved in 1948 to a small house on the north side of the town of Livermore where they lived for more than 20 years.
Darlene was an active member of her community. When her daughters were young, she engaged in their activities by serving as room mother, Girl Scout leader, PTA officer, church volunteer and proud audience member when her girls performed at various events. Darlene also served her community as a licensed child-care provider. The families of the children in her care were grateful to have someone as loving and capable as Darlene in their lives, her family said.
Later, she worked at Duarte’s Pharmacy for many years as a bookkeeper and sales clerk. She enjoyed the challenge of this work. She liked helping familiar customers as they shopped and visited the store.
In the 1960s, she enrolled in classes offered through Chabot College and became qualified as an early childhood teacher. She worked at Mary’s Nursery School where she again enjoyed fostering the growth of young children.
Darlene was a spirited person who enjoyed the pleasant gifts that life offered. She took delight in the simple pleasures that nature provides, appreciating family, friends, neighbors, nature and pets, according to her family members. She loved poetry, limericks and puns, daily comics and silly jokes, they said.
During the later part of her life, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren became the joys of her life. Her last year was filled with increasing health problems, but she still maintained her positive and encouraging spirit in moments of strength and clarity.
Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Jansen, Diana McGregor and her husband, John Jurcso, and Jone McGregor; brother-in-law, Elzie McGregor and sister-in-law, Sally Dell; grandchildren, Bonnie, Kristie, Laura, Andrea, Ian and Devon; great-grandchildren, Maggie, Kaylin, Megan, Hannah and Adam; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice of Dublin, Calif., or The Friendship Center in care of LARPD or a charity of one’s choice.
Cards may be sent to Diana McGregor Jurcso, 8294 Cardiff Drive, Dublin, CA 94568.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 3, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor