Hazel Joan Gregory

Hazel Joan (Armstrong) Gregory was eagerly welcomed into the presence of our Lord and Savior in the late evening hours of May 20, 2026, after battling complications from a fall the week prior. Visited by many in her final days, Hazel was seen peacefully into eternity by her daughters, Linda and Ann.

Hazel was born on the family farm east of Hemingford, Nebraska on October 3, 1935, to Roy and Blanche (Wiltsey) Armstrong on Roy’s 40th birthday. She completed all her schooling in Hemingford and graduated on May 14, 1953. While in high school and afterward, she worked at Alliance Floral where she met her life-long love, Douglas Gregory. Doug was sworn into the United States Navy in January 1955 and left for boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. During this time, Hazel provided bookkeeping for the Guardian State Bank until she and Doug married on December 30, 1956. Thereafter, Doug’s naval assignment took them to Corpus Christi, TX where they welcomed their first daughter, Linda (July 1958).

After Doug’s military service concluded, the family moved briefly to Ogden, UT where Doug graduated from Weber State College before the family more permanently settled in Boulder, CO. Here, their son, Stephen (September 1960) and second daughter, Ann (January 1962), were born. Taking great joy and pride in domestic duties, Hazel was an exceptional homemaker primarily but also worked as the bookkeeper for the Shannon Estates Water Board for 13 years. Additionally, she served as church treasurer for the First United Methodist Church in Lafayette for 14 years as well as church secretary for a portion of that time. She and Doug operated D & H Photo until December of 1989 and then opened The Custom Darkroom with Stephen and his wife Patty until Doug formally retired in the fall of 1992.

Doug and Hazel built the remainder of their life together in the mountains outside of Lyons, CO where Hazel enjoyed knitting, sewing and playing any kind of card game she could. They had many adventures traveling the States in their fifth wheel. She enjoyed regular serene walks around the mountains near their home and keeping up with loved ones. Hazel spent over a thousand hours volunteering with Longmont United Hospital and begrudgingly stopped due to age-related restrictions. While volunteering, she made baby hats, lap blankets and visited rooms with the nourishment cart.

Abundantly gifted with pleasant conversation and a servant’s heart, she blessed countless people throughout her time earthside. Hazel was well versed in the lives of those near to her heart. Eager to help and nurture anyone she could, Hazel truly never met a stranger. Though she doted on many, her family was her greatest joy, and she was most alive when surrounded by people, high-spirited chatter and good food. Summarizing Hazel is trying to turn sun rays into sentences. She was the brightest part of every gathering, and she loved others fearlessly, living uninhibited and boundlessly. While she was dealt difficult circumstances throughout her life, she eagerly trusted the Lord, submitting herself to His Will and path for her and encouraged others to do the same. Her caring, joyful positive aura was captivating and infectious. Her family rejoices that she is made complete now, dancing with Jesus forevermore.

Hazel was preceded in death by many she missed immeasurably: her loving husband, Douglas Gregory; her parents, Roy Hamilton Armstrong and Blanche (Wiltsey) Armstrong; sisters, Betty (Armstrong) Lee and Mardelle (Armstrong) Troeltzch; and brother, Donald Armstrong.

She is survived by her three children: Linda (Scott) Jolly of Aurora, CO, Stephen (Patty) Gregory of Columbia Falls, MT and Ann (Kevin) Demoney of Strasburg, CO. Hazel is also survived by six grandchildren: Michelle (Byron) Kramer, Christopher (Lacy) Jolly, Angela (Michael) Breed, Sarah (Timothy) Sullivan, Joshua Gregory and partner Catharine, and Hannah (Dylan) Curtis. She also has thirteen great-grandchildren who love her dearly: Mason and Ella Kramer, Addison and Hailey Jolly, Colton and Alexander Breed, Samantha, Anna, Asher, Samson and Abigail Sullivan, and Eliza and Lydia Curtis.