Obituary: Mary Ethel Eccles Gregory

Mary Ethel Eccles Gregory 1925 ~ 2005 Mary Ethel Eccles Gregory died 22 Feb. 2005 at home in St. George after a long, debilitating illness. She was born 27 Nov. 1925 to Albert and Caroline Eccles in Salt Lake City. She was Granite High School valedictorian. Earned college tuition on local radio programs and graduated magna cum laude from University of Utah in radio speech. A consummate actress, she appeared in numerous theatre productions in English, French and German, including plays created for her. Best remembered for her leading roles in 'No, No, Nanette" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night". Served two years with the US foreign Service in Beirut, Lebanon, as public affairs broadcast specialist. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, she appeared in major motion pictures such as "Footloose", "Executioner's Song", "The Stand" (Stephen King), "Deliberate Stranger", "Double Jeopardy" and "Legacy", working with Mark Harmon, Eli Wallach, Christine Lahti, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, Rosanna Arquette, and Kevin Bacon, among others. Served with mission president husband in Berlin and East Germany. Known for her great body of film, broadcast and program work for the LDS Church. Survived by her husband, Herold (Huck) Gregory, and children: Vicki (Ian) McGregor, Walter Gregory, Suellen (Brad) Winegar, five grandchildren, brother Albert (Faye) Eccles Jr. Preceded in death by sister Barbara Danielson. Funeral services February 26, 2005, 12:00 noon, Monument Park 20th Ward, 2795 E. Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City. Visitation at chapel Friday, February 25, 2005 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to Saturday service. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donation to charity of choice. Interment at Farmington City Cemetery. Services under the direction of Heideman Mortuary, St. George, Utah.