Mary Jo Gregg, 87,

Mary Jo Gregg, 87, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2014, at Hospice House, after being lovingly cared for by her husband in the home they built together.

Mary Jo Kovaleski Gregg was born on Nov. 17, 1926, in Parkersburg, W.V. She moved with her family to California as a child.

Jo worked hard as a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ during WWII. After the war, she met Paul Gregg at Big Bear Lake, Calif., and they were married in Las Vegas on Oct. 5, 1950.

Jo and Paul lived in California before relocating to a farm in Dalton Gardens, Idaho, to raise their daughter and three sons. In addition to a busy family life, Jo worked for six years at the Clare Pendar Factory in Post Falls where she made many friends.

After the children were grown, Jo and Paul lived in Vancouver, Wash. for a few years, where Jo was a popular tour guide at the Pendleton Woolen Mill. Later, Jo and Paul shared many adventures - including travels to Alaska and Hawaii for Paul’s telephone engineering career.

Jo was an active member of the Satellite Horse Club in her younger years. She loved riding her horses around Totten’s Pond in Dalton Gardens. She also enjoyed hunting with her three sons - especially deer hunting with her grandson, Bryan, often camping in Elk River, Idaho. Jo loved staying at elk camp and riding four wheelers with her friends and family. She also enjoyed family fishing trips to Kelso Lake, Fernan Lake, Hayden Lake, and Lake Pend Oreille. Jo spent much time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren enjoying the great outdoors.

Jo had a sweet tooth and was always available to take her grandchildren to the Davis Donut Shop, share a bowl of homemade cookie dough or a frosty root beer float on a hot summer day.

Jo's grandchildren loved going to pet stores as they were likely to return home with a new pet. She supplied her grandchildren with goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, parrots, puppies and fish. Her grandchildren learned by Grandma Jo’s example to always be compassionate and caring toward animals. She had a huge heart for the cute lil’ dogs and all other critters she had throughout her life. Jo also lovingly cared for wild animals that were wounded – including adopting a little squirrel who had his paws burned in a forest fire. That squirrel lived a life of luxury while in Grandma’s care. Jo loved domestic and wild birds of all kinds. She often rescued baby birds that had fallen out of nests, and she would nurse them back to health by spending countless hours patiently feeding them with a tiny medicine dropper.

Jo was an amazing story teller and always the life of the party. Often telling a family story, a quick joke or a one liner, or simply engaging others in sincere conversation. Jo made friends wherever she went, and was genuinely interested in those around her. She was kind-hearted and always quick to greet others with a warm smile.

Jo was a perfectionist, whether it was her garden that was right out of Better Homes & Gardens, cooking any kind of meal or dessert for loved ones, or any other task or item that she worked on . . . you could be sure she was going to do a perfect job. You could tell Jo really valued every task, and everything that she had was important to her. She baked an amazing banana cream pie, and delicious chocolate cookies with cream cheese icing. She loved refinishing antiques, and looked forward to spending hours in antique stores with her granddaughters searching for the perfect piece of furniture. She taught her grandchildren the art of finding treasures at garage sales and negotiating the best price.

Jo loved to listen to country western music and watch old westerns with her great-grandsons. She took time to notice all of life’s beautiful details whether flowers, bugs, or critters. Her grandchildren loved hiking with her because she would stop with them to look under every rock and examine each bug without ever seeming to be in a hurry. Her grandsons said that she was one of the few adults who remembered what it was like to be a kid. Jo truly was one of a kind.

Jo was preceded in death by her grandson, Travis. She is survived by her loving husband, Paul, of 64 years; her daughter and three sons: Scott (Sharon), Bob (Pam), and Jim (Tina); grandchildren: Tiffany Kugler (Paul), Mike Gregg (Meghan), Chris Edmondson, Kelli Alderman (Seth), Bryan Gregg, Amber Gregg, and Tyler Gregg; great-grandchildren: Justin and Austin Kugler; Carli Jo Reeves; Eire, Joslyn and Lilli Alderman; and Kireann Gregg.

Per Jo's wishes, there will be no services. Please visit and sign Jo’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

A special thank you to Hospice of North Idaho for their loving care and support. Those who wish to make a donation in Jo’s memory may send them to: Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, Idaho, 83835. English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d'Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements.