Louise Lydecker Gregg

She was born to Dorothy Fisher Lydecker and Col. Leigh Kent Lydecker in Maywood, New Jersey, on Nov. 5, 1923. She graduated from Bogota High School in 1942.

She went on to study at Goucher College and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and graduated with a degree in history in 1946. Louise became interested in William Kirker Gregg while commuting into New York City, although their families knew each other over the years. They were married on June 28, 1947, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Together they raised four children: Susan, Judy, Janet and Dorothy.

After getting married, they moved to Belgium to work for the family business, The Gregg Company, Ltd. Their first three daughters were born in Belgium. Louise was co-founder of the American Women’s Club in Brussels. After living in Belgium for eight years, they moved to Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. She was a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, PTA president, French teacher and involved in numerous charitable organizations including the Hermitage Museum, Youth Consultation Service and French club. In retirement, Louise and Bill moved to their vacation home in her beloved Adirondacks in Keene Valley. Here Louise continued to be generous with her time with various organizations and always wanted to make the world a better place for future generations. She volunteered with the Keene planning board and was a 30-year volunteer at the Keene Valley Library in the archives, specializing in genealogy and cemeteries.

Louise is survived by her daughters Susan Gregg, Juliette (Richard) Latimer, Janet (Daniel) DeBiasio and Dorothy (John) Jensen; four grandchildren: Stephanie DeBiasio, Jessica DeBiasio (Ethan Joseph), Robert Jensen and William Jensen; and one great-grandson, Atteo Joseph. In addition, she is survived by her brother Leigh (Jane) Lydecker Jr., sister Katharine L. Lowe and youngest brother Gerrit V. Lydecker, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Kirker Gregg, brother William J.F. Lydecker, brother-in-law Alfred H. Lowe and sister-in-law Brenda O’Brien Lydecker, and her niece Louise Lowe.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity will be appreciated. Some of Louise’s favorite charities were Keene Valley Library (https://www.keenevalleylibrary.org), Keene Valley Congregational Church (https://www.kvccny.com), The Wild Center of Tupper Lake (https://www.wildcenter.org) and the Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus (http://thehermitage.org).

A celebration of life will be arranged for summer 2021 in Keene Valley. Details to follow.