Having lived 93 years of an adventurous life, Lois (Gregg) Bryan went home to be with her Lord on March 21 after a five-year battle with congestive heart failure.
Lois was born in Pomona, Calif. on Sept. 7, 1924 to her proud parents Fred and Myrtle (Henson) Gregg. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Montebello, Calif.
Lois’s early academic years were spent in the Montebello School District where she excelled in sports, social activities and was a very accomplished piano player. She received the American Legion Award Scholarship in the 8th grade and in her senior year she graduated third in her class.
Among her many social activities, Lois was a member of Job’s Daughters and after high school graduation joined the Order of the Eastern Star, a 50+ year member.
Her adventures started with joining the Navy in March 1945 and attending boot camp at Hunter College, N.Y. From there her WAVE life started in Washington, DC at BUPERS (Bureau of Naval Personnel). There she met Jack Hartshorn Jr. and they were married in 1946. Their daughter Kathi was born the next year and Lois was honorably discharged from the Navy.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1948 where Lois began her secretarial career. Shortly thereafter she became a single parent and moved back to Montebello.
Lois and Kathi enjoyed weekends at the beach and once again she supported Kathi in her Job’s Daughters activities.
After graduating from Sawyer School of Business and attending graduate studies at UCLA, Lois’s secretarial career adventures included: legal, medical, manufacturing, export and real estate, along with management of shopping centers.
In 1969, Lois married Jack Bryan, moving to Chicago for a few years and in 1974 she returned to Huntington Beach, Calif. once again single.
Lois decided to move to Oak Harbor to be near family in 1984.
She joined NAESU DET (Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit) in 1985 and retired 10 years later at the age of 70.
Her love of the beach remained and she enjoyed her trips to Hawaii, loved the family get-togethers and had cherished friendships throughout her life. Lois was an avid reader and a true sports fan. She never missed watching a Mariners or Seahawks game.
Lois is survived by her daughters Kathi (Hartshorn) Phillips (Mark Brown) and Mary (Hartshorn) Walker (Kevin Farmer); grandchildren Chip Phillips (Lisa) and Brenda Grass (Terry Krueger); six great grandchildren, and eight great, great grandchildren.
Mom you are now on to the greatest adventure!
The family suggests that memorials in Lois’s name be made out to Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor, P.O. Box 893, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123
The family would also like to extend a special thank you to WhidbeyHealth and Careage of Whidbey for all of their help and kindness.
A Celebration of Life in Lois’s honor will be held on Sunday, June 3. For those who would like to attend please contact Kathi Phillips at 360-929-0206 or Mark Brown at 360-672-4138.
Arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.
