Gail Elizabeth Gregg-Strimenos, 78, was born on June 5, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina to Juanita (Osborn) Gregg and Frederick Browne Gregg. Her family soon relocated to Leesburg, Florida where her father was from and where her earliest childhood memories were formed at home in Palmora Park. Some of Gail’s happiest memories were of home-especially the sweet scent of the gardenias blooming just outside the bedroom window she shared with her sister, Jeannie.
Gail graduated from Leesburg High School where she was a cheerleader and an honor student. Originally her dream was to become an architect, but being told “women could never be architects,” she set out to study Interior Design at Agnes Scott College and become the architect of her own life. A woman of extraordinary talent and perseverance, she would grow to become a respected philanthropist, artist, business leader, and loving mother to John, Randy, and Kristin.
Thirty years ago, she met her husband Peter, the man she loved and adored, and together they built a life filled with shared endeavors, mutual support, and laughter. They worked side-by-side managing various family enterprises and philanthropic initiatives such as the Gregg-Strimenos Foundation. The Gregg family has long been recognized for their extensive dedication to the growth and development of Lake County and surrounding areas, generously supporting local organizations such as Hospice of Lake and Sumter County, Morrison United Methodist Church, Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department, and Beacon College.
As President of the Gregg-Strimenos Foundation, Gail furthered this legacy of support with ongoing contributions to Camp Boggy Creek, Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, and many other causes close to her heart. She founded First Impressions Designs, and for years served on the Board of Directors of CenterState Bank. She was also a longtime member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter BH, serving as Corresponding Secretary. Beginning in 2000, she served as CEO and Chairman of Family Dynamics, Inc., a family owned and operated agricultural and development company.
Whether she was negotiating a corporate merger, drawing house plans, cooking holiday dinners, or selecting the perfect shades of silk taffeta drapes, she was meticulous, decisive, and ahead of schedule. She approached everything she did with commitment and an unmatched attention to detail. Yet as strong as her work ethic was, it was her character that defined her most. As a mother she worked hard in and out of the home, and made quiet sacrifices to ensure that all of her children and grandchildren would have choices and wonderful opportunities in life. She was the matriarch that brought together a blended family, anchored us, and instilled traditions. She was a patient listener with a pure heart, and shared her children’s joyful sense of humor. She loved designing, restoring, and building homes, antique shopping, key-lime pie, and golfing with her kids. And she always dressed to the nines. She will be missed for her warm embraces, her often-humorous honesty, and the way she never missed an opportunity to say, “I love you.”
While Gail was admired for her talents, professional success, deep-rooted family ties, and Southern elegance, her life was not without incredible hardships. Faith was instrumental in her life and sustained her through the unimaginable loss of her daughter Kristin in 2007. She faced the most profound challenges in life with grit and grace, and still somehow managed to make everything around her more beautiful.
Gail fought an unforgiving illness with remarkable courage and unyielding inner strength. Supported by the love of family, faith, and friends she held on until it was her calling. In that brief season when the gardenias had reached their full blossom, their fragrance drifting in and out of the home and the life she had built, with her husband, family, and beloved dogs by her side, Gail peacefully took her last breaths to reunite with those who had left before her.
A woman of great integrity, sharp intellect in the business world as well as the arts, with boundless grace, kindness, sophistication, and generosity, she left an indelible and profound impact on her family and community that will forever be felt. We thank her. We love her. And we are comforted to know she was welcomed home by those she loved.
Gail is survived by her husband, Peter Strimenos; her sons, John Mason and Randy Mason; her sister, Jeannie Emack (Ted Emack); her brother, Frederick Browne Gregg; her stepdaughters, Artemis and Alexis; her grandsons, Trevor, Keanu, Finn, and Kalaïs; and her great-granddaughter, Sadie Rose. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. The family wishes to thank their incredible friends and neighbors for all of their love, help, and support.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. in the Juanita Gregg Family Life Center at Morrison United Methodist Church, 1005 W. Main St., Leesburg, FL 34748. All who knew and loved Gail are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Camp Boggy Creek or Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center in memory of Gail.