Eleanor "Ellie" Grace Gregorek

Eleanor “Ellie” Grace Gregorek passed away on September 19, 2026, at the age of 87. Born Eleanor Grace Longeval on February 12, 1939, Ellie graduated from Rio Vista High School in Rio Vista, California. She attended Armstrong University from 1955 to 1957 and the Academy of Stenographic Arts from 1957 to 1959. Throughout her career, she continued her education in business law, business organization and management, English composition, and public speaking.

Ellie began her career with the State of California in 1959, working as a secretary for the Department of Education, Department of Finance, Controller’s Office, and California Community Colleges. She went on to serve in the California State Legislature, first working for Assemblyman George Milias and then spending 16 years as Legislative Assistant to Assemblyman Alister McAlister, followed by her final post as Legislative Aide with Senator Stirling.

During her 27½ years of state service, Ellie earned the respect of senators, assembly members, lobbyists, and community leaders. Her files included recommendation letters, unsolicited letters of appreciation, and records of promotions. Assemblyman McAlister wrote of Ellie:

"Ellie's personality is an unusual combination of exuberance and calm self-assurance. She possesses an inner strength that sustains her perpetual cheerfulness and keeps her constantly unruffled."

Ellie retired from the California State Legislature on February 12, 1991, her 52nd birthday.

Ellie married Allen Denman Bailey on November 4, 1961. They had two daughters, Laura and Linda. After their separation in 1977 (their divorce finalized later that year), Ellie found the love of her life. Together, Ellie and Albert "Greg" Eugene Gregorek shared 41 years of companionship, traveling to more than 20 countries on six continents and exploring cities, state parks, and national parks across the United States with their travel trailer. They married on September 2, 1989 in Incline Village, Nevada.

Following retirement, Ellie and Greg lived in Sun City West, Arizona; Brookings, Oregon; and, beginning in 2001, Sun City Lincoln Hills in Lincoln, California. In each community, Ellie developed friendships that became part of her life.

Ellie loved bringing people together. She planned parties, organized gatherings, and after Greg's death in 2018, joined the Craft Beer Club in Lincoln as a way to rebuild her life and community. She even installed a kegerator in her home—a refrigerator fitted with a beer keg and an outside tap so her friends and family could pour themselves a beer. That very quickly dubbed Ellie's house the "party house." 

Throughout her life, Ellie participated in tennis, skiing, sailing, skin diving, pickleball, cycling, billiards, and hiking. Whether in her professional work, playing tennis, planning a party, or handling her finances, Ellie strove for excellence.

In March 2025, Ellie suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side but largely preserved her ability to think and communicate. She spent the remaining year and a half of her life at Carter House, a board and care home just minutes from her home in Sun City Lincoln Hills. This allowed family members and friends to visit and remain part of her daily life.

In the final months of her life, Ellie decided to plan one more party. She understood that she might not live to attend it, but she wanted her family and friends to gather, share stories, and celebrate. And she knew the party would happen just as she envisioned. She outlined every detail and her family promised to carry them through.

Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Greg, who passed away in 2018 and her two sisters, Alice and Christine, who both passed in 2025. She is survived by her daughters, Laura Bailey Hansen and Linda Bailey; stepdaughter Lauren Gregorek Pugh; stepson Robert Gregorek; and Lauren’s three sons, Justin Pugh, Mason Pugh, and Evan Pugh.