Our Daughter Lives Now in Heaven

 

Shelley Lewis McGregor

1963 - 2024

 

Shelley Lewis McGregor passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of sixty-one, in a memory care facility in Richmond, Texas. Born on March 6, 1963, Shelley was known for her vibrant and outgoing personality. Although tiny, she always gave a huge hug to everyone she met.

Throughout her life, Shelley was deeply committed to a work ethic. She won awards in her career in insurance sales, and she was respected by her colleagues and clients alike. After she married Don McGregor, she worked with him in the industrial coating business. She was a graduate of Alief Hastings High School in Alief, TX. She had two years of college before she began to shape her future.

She made a public profession of faith on May 5, 1971, at the First Baptist Church in Alief, TX, and was baptized by her pastor father. She and her husband, Don McGregor, later joined the First Baptist Church of Pflugerville, TX. Before going to Heaven, Shelley was a devout member of Second Baptist Church in Rosenberg, TX where she found great comfort and community.

 Her two much-loved Scriptures were: Philippians 4:6 and Colossians 2:6. Shelley quoted these two verses well into her illness with Dementia. She loved hymns, especially “In the Garden” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Because He Lives.” She gave a big smile when we sang, “You Are My Sunshine.” Although memory faded with time, these hymns and Scriptures were the last to leave her.

Shelley treasured the outdoors, and her favorite hobbies were hiking and fishing. She found the sunshine enjoyable and liked laying outside to get a tan. Her dancing skills were admirable, so were her singing skills. Karaoke was a choice activity. She spent hours listening and singing along with the Beatles. Cooking and entertaining the family was a priority, and she was famous for her chicken and dumplings. As a sports enthusiast, she cheered for her team, The Dallas Cowboys.

Shelley married Rick Day in 1983, and although the marriage didn’t last, the friendship with Rick and wife, Gay, did. Later, in 1999, she met Don McGregor via the Internet. They married, blended their families, and Shelley moved from Katy, TX to Manor, TX.

Shelley was the loving mother to Richard Paul Day and wife Christine, and Courtney Richelle Reuther, son-in-law, James Reuther. Stepchildren Ryan McGregor and Molly McGregor. She was a cherished grandmother to Esperansa Day, Mackenzie Reuther, Jordan McGregor, and Addison McGregor. She is also survived by her mother, Gay Lewis; father, Rev. Paul Lewis; sisters, Christy Lewis Wilner and husband, Dirk and Lanissa Lewis Coker and husband Craig. Shelley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don McGregor, and mother-in-law, Mary McGregor.

Shelley McGregor’s legacy of warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.

Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.

--Philippians 4:6

Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him too for each day’s problems. Live in vital union with Him.

--Colossians 2:6

 

Pallbearers

Rick Day

Richard Paul Day

Dirk Wilner

Craig Coker

Nirav Shah

James Reuther

Alternate Jason Cappers

Daylon Durell

 Shelley

Obiturary

Decorate for Fall

As September ends, I think hallelujah! The hot, Houston summer is ending. Of course, it won’t cool down here until November, but the idea of fall brings excitement.

I usually put up a fall tree, and then decorate it for Christmas. I can’t do that this year. I threw away the artificial tree last year and haven’t bought a new one. That’s on my to do list, but they are expensive.

 Two Years Ago, I had a lovely tree.

We have traveled to New England several times in the past, and the first visit stands in my memory as the best. We rented a car and drove around Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. 

As we journeyed through neighborhoods, the yard décor impressed me. People had pumpkins, mums, scarecrows, and they were creative with hay and wagons.

The scenery was inspirational. 

I wish more of us did that thing here in my area. We do a bit, but not at 

all like those New Englanders.

We go all out for Christmas, but that’s another subject.

Here's my mantle this year.

I decorated the entire kitchen, but here's part of it.

 

Happy Fall, Y'all

Be sure to read my latest book!

Sarah Stalks the Wrong Stalker

A Hot July

 

July is hot in Texas. Very hot, but it is the month of my birth, so I usually celebrate it with joy.

Not July 2024.

My dear friend, Mary Vaeth and I began the month of June with optimism. She is a neighbor, and we met years ago at our monthly book club. We clicked at once. Even though Mary is twelve years or so older than me, we had much in common. She loved reading, visiting and writing. We often met for lunch.

One June morning, a few weeks ago, she invited me to her home for coffee. I arrived and followed her into the kitchen. She opened the fridge, removed her creamer, and added it to a cup of cold coffee sitting on the counter. She then took her mug to the table. She forgot to ask me if I wanted to make my coffee. I didn’t say anything, but we sat and talked.

My sweet friend repeated herself more than once, and I knew something was amiss. Mary’s memory and vocabulary were exceptional. I kept looking for unsafe behavior but found none. After our visit, I assured myself she was secure, and I left.  I’m not always with it early in the day, so I thought Mary might be like me on that morning.

Later, Mary’s daughter texted me to check on her mom. I cautiously related the coffee incident. Her daughter thought her mom should see a doctor. Her daughter cares about her mom, and Mary is fortunate to have her.

The doctor said Mary had health issues, but they weren’t severe. So that’s good, right?

Or so we thought.

Mary had talked about going to a retirement home, and she had found one she liked. It a matter of days, or so it seems now, her wise and sweet daughter moved Mary to a new location where people could oversee her care.

Mary was both happy and sad. A new challenge is like that, don’t you think? We are excited to pounce upon a fresh adventure, but reluctant to leave the old.

I visited Mary in her new home on June 18. We had a marvelous lunch.  She had met a few people there, and she introduced me as her “famous author friend.” These new friends invited us to sit with them, but there wasn’t room, and besides, we wanted to visit by ourselves.

Mary ordered meatloaf, and I ordered shrimp with pasta. We had soup and salad first, and we both had chocolate cake for dessert. The portions were small, but it was a scrumptious meal. Most of the residents were older than me, and I guess their appetites were waning. However, snacks were always available, and they had a happy hour with wine.

I found it was a good choice for Mary, but I knew she missed her neighbors and friends.

Toward the end of June, Mary developed health complications and was admitted to the hospital. She had too much fluid on her body. Mary opted for a procedure that had a better chance of keeping fluid from returning.

On June 24, my friend had the procedure. Mary survived and was on the road to recovery. Or so we thought.

On June 26, she was improving.  She was sedated and talking to someone. We didn’t know who. Sedation does that to a person, but on the other hand, people who are close to eternity often see and hear people we don’t.

Mary was Catholic, and she loved Saint Anthony. She often told me, “We are on a first name basis. I sometimes call him Tony.” She knew I was Baptist, and we compared our views. I’d call her at times, and say, “Ask Tony to help me today.” And of course, she would.

I visited her in the hospital on July 4, and she appeared in good spirits. 

She told me to bring our favorite sandwich and fries the next time I came. She passed four days later.

As Hurricane Beryl blew his way though Houston, and Mary decided to fly away with him.

How do we replace friends? Family? We don’t. We splice our hearts with inadequate band aids and live with broken spirits.

But our lives are better for having known and loved these valued people.