Greta Norma McGregor

Greta Norma McGregor was born on Wednesday, August 27, 1930, in Pasadena, California, the daughter of Felix S. and Hildegard Ida (Wadst) Lopez. She passed this life at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was 93 years of age. The former Miss Greta Lopez was a 1948 graduate of McKinley High School in Pasadena, California. She received an Associate’s Degree from Pasadena City College. She was married to Eugene Cope, who preceded her in death in 1982. She later married Charles McGregor who preceded her in death in 1991. She worked at many secretarial jobs and creative arts jobs, but her favorite was the years she spent working at The Huntington Library, Art Galleries and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA. She was a member of First Methodist Church in Broken Arrow, the family requests memorials to the Prayer Card and Women’s Retreat Ministries at First Methodist Church, 112 East College Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Greta is best known for her masterful artistry. From the time she was a little girl until the day before her passing she was constantly creating art. Among the various mediums of art she excelled at were drawing, painting, crocheting, embroidery, macramé and quilting. She even won many awards in quilt shows. Her eye for color and steady hand for fine detail created hundreds of whimsical and beautiful masterpieces. Her hands were never idle, and she even persisted in teaching herself to draw with her left hand after losing control of her right hand to a stroke. While working at the Hunting Library Greta met many celebrities who toured the museums and gardens or did research in the libraries. Among them were Sir Patrick Stewart and Prince Charles (now King Charles)! Greta also appeared as an extra in the movie ‘Seabiscuit’. Greta was an avid reader and lover of history. Both of her parents were classical musicians. As a child, Greta would sit under her mother’s piano and listen to piano, violin, cello and flute duets and trios that would fill her home. She loved the sounds and smells of the ocean contrasted with the rocks and sand of the shore, she delighted in the ever-changing hues of the sky and admired the delicate strength and beauty in all kinds of birds. Greta filled her children’s childhood with color, creativity, and whimsy as she encouraged and taught them the joy of art in many mediums. Paper, paints, yarn and fabric filled her home and were always readily available for her children’s creative endeavors. And she was always forgiving of the messy mishaps of the artistic process. Her Christmas Tree was filled with ornaments that she designed and created- some painted, some sewn, some woven- yet all unique. As a grandmother, she took great joy in spending time with and making things for her grandchildren. She was able to live with them for many years as they were growing up and as a result was part of their everyday lives- enjoying the playful conversations of childhood and teen years. As a great-grandmother Greta enjoyed the smiles and laughter of her great-grandchildren as well as hearing about the adventures of Leo, Charlotte, and Essie. She was also filled with joy and anticipation as she marveled at the ultrasounds of her next two great-grandchildren who will be born later this year. Greta is survived by: Her Daughter, Jeanine and husband Larry Varvel, Broken Arrow, OK Her Son, Johnathan Cope, Los Angeles, CA Her Grandchildren, Patty and Andrew Deras, Lainie and Taylor Schick, Andrew and Elyssa Varvel, and Charles Cope-Morris Her Great Grandchildren, Leo, Charlotte, and Essie and as well as Wesley due in August, and one more baby due in October. She was preceded in death by her sister Betty Lopez; her parents, Felix and Hildegard Lopez; her husbands, Eugene Cope and Charles McGregor; and her daughter, Leslie Cope.

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Greta Norma McGregor

August 27, 1930 - April 17, 2024