Remembering Lil McGregor

We recently learned that Lilian McGregor passed away in January. Lil was an integral part of the support staff of the Los Angeles Baptist City Mission Society which become known as the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles and later ABCOFLASH. Lil was brought to the regional staff by Dr. Jane Gahs Wilson in the 1980’s and she served until her retirement around 2012.  Lil helped Dr. Wilson with the Women’s Auxiliary and many other programs and events in our region. We thank God for Lil’s life and ministry among us and for Stewart who was often by her side. We know that she is with Jesus and so many others who have gone before us including Dr. Emory Campbell, Dr. Jane Gahs Wilson, Rev. M. Cecilia Broadous, Susan DiMaggio, Kay Murakami and others.

A Tribute to Lil from her daughter Lois:

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lilian Gertrude McGregor, on January 16, 2025. Born on April 1, 1934, in Amityville, New York, Mom lived a life full of love, compassion, and unwavering faith. She touched so many lives with her kindness, her beautiful spirit, and her love for her family, animals, and God.

Lilian grew up in Amityville, New York, the youngest of three siblings. She had a deep bond with her siblings and cherished the time spent at her grandparents’ farm on Long Island, caring for the animals she adored. Even in her later years, as dementia began to take its toll, she often reminisced about the farm and the joy it brought her.

From a young age, Mom’s life was shaped by her family’s ties to the Navy and the OSS. In 1954, at just 19, she left behind a budding career in New York City to travel to Austria with her father during his work in the Korean War. He insisted Mom come along to help take care of her mother who had Parkinson’s Disease. Lil did not want to go! She had just graduated from a Junior College with her new job and life before her. But fate intervened and she met my father in Europe. Stewart was part of a group of service members who would provide entertainment for their fellow soldiers.

Their love story began and eventually brought them back to New York, where they married and started a life together. Soon after they moved to Austin, Texas where my Dad had his family. She worked and cared for her growing family while helping Dad through his graduate and seminary studies at the University of Texas. It was a drastic change for my Yankee mother, but I think she enjoyed those years in Texas. She worked at UTA and recalls being on campus during the University of Texas Tower shooting in 1966.

After Dad finished his they moved to Los Angeles, California.

Mom and Dad raised all of the kids in the church. It was a huge part of our lives. Dad worked and volunteered at church and Mom also worked full-time at San Fernando First Baptist Church as the Pastor’s secretary for many years. Following she worked as the secretarial support to Dr. Jane Gahs Wilson with American Baptists.

Many of my Mom’s memories involved her life in ministry. She had a beautiful alto voice and sang in every choir at every church we were members of through the years. She and Dad were also very involved in outreach ministry, and as longtime members of The Shepherd of the Hills Church and members of the Amen Choir, they traveled several times a year to nursing homes in the San Fernando Valley to stroll through the halls and rooms singing songs for the residents there.

She loved writing poetry, doing crossword puzzles, reading novels, and cheering on her beloved UTA Longhorns.

Her faith was her anchor, and I know she found joy in singing, praying, and serving in her church. Over the years, Mom embraced life’s unexpected twists and turns. From Texas to California, she devoted herself to raising five children and creating a loving home filled with faith, laughter, and countless memories. She was always devoted to her husband, Stewart and they were married for 67 years he passed away from a stroke in 2021.

Mom gave everything she had for her family. She was always there for us, at every ballgame, every school play, every time we were sick and always made sure our birthdays and holidays were filled with a house full of family, friends, food, and presents. We all treasure the faith and hope and compassion she passed down to all of us.

In her final years, as arthritis and dementia slowed her down, Mom still found joy in the simple things—a fluffy cat on her lap, the company of her loved ones, and her faith in God.

She closed the door on an era when she left us to cross the Jordan. We will miss you Mom until we see you again.

Some of Mom’s favorite verses:

Jeremiah 29:11-14: "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will let Myself be found by you."

Isaiah 40:31: "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

One Great Hour of Sharing supports disaster relief, ministries to displaced persons, and development projects of the American Baptist Churches and its partners. The fund is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. This is the time of the year this offering is received in American Baptist Churches. To learn more about the offering and its impact click here and watch this video:

If you are going to ABCOFLASH Dodger Night on July 18th, purchase your tickets sooner rather than later! We have secured 200 tickets and have already sold almost 100 of them. Any tickets purchased after we sell the first 200 will be as close to our group as possible, if available.

Please note that ticket prices will increase to $50 each after June 17th, if seats are still available.

Click here to purchase tickets and for a printable flyer.

ABCOFLASH has secured a rate of $99 per person for the GLS so you and leaders from your church can participate online. The lowest rate on the GLS website is $189!

Click here for the GLS website to learn more about the GLS and how it can impact your life and ministry!

Registration for the Biennial Mission Summit is now open.

Click here for more information about the Biennial and registration.