Janet Elizabeth Gregor

Janet Gregor died December 5, 2016, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Chestertown, MD. Janet was the oldest child of Paul Grissom and Elizabeth (Julie) Julstrom. She was born in Chicago in August of 1949. Being part of a military family, she attended several different schools as the family moved from place to place. Her mother, Julie, died when Janet was eight, putting her in the position of big sister and adding a new set of responsibilities.She completed her high school years by graduating from Robert E Lee High School in Springfield, VA. She attended American University in Washington, DC, graduating with a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Urban Affairs in 1972. She married, and she and her former husband, John Gregor, began a life supporting each other as they advanced their education and careers.She attended the University of Virginia where she earned her Master’s degree in City Planning in 1977. Janet dedicated most of her professional career to various aspects of the art and science of urban planning. She worked for a number of governmental bodies in VA, TN, and MD, using her skills to support areas in those states as they grew and developed. Her intelligence and dedication to her field were significant resources to the areas she supported. She particularly enjoyed working with rural areas where she felt she could make the most impact. Her most recent position was with the Maryland Rural Development Corporation, supporting smaller communities on the Eastern Shore. Janet began her career in urban planning at a time when that field was dominated by men. She took great satisfaction in proving she could do the job as well or better than her male peers. Janet was a great lover of history, historic places, and old houses. She also loved animals, especially cats, but also cared for a large number of mice at one time (much to the dismay of her neighbors). Janet first moved to Maryland in 1987. In approximately 2010, she moved to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She felt at home there, and even after her health deteriorated, she chose to stay there living in Easton and later in Chestertown. Janet is survived by her sister, Tanya Rye; and her brothers Marc, Alex, and Tim Grissom who will miss her and who wish for her God’s peace and love. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD.

Janet Elizabeth Gregor

August 3, 1949 - December 5, 2016