Former NH First Lady Passes Away

Catherine Warner Gregg, the wife of the late Gov. Hugh Gregg, and mother of Sen. Judd Gregg, passed away on Aug. 1.

She was 96, just two weeks shy of her 97th birthday.

A resident of Exeter and Nashua, as well as Sarasota, FL, Gregg was active in many community activities and served on a number of boards. She and her husband started a restaurant in Sarasota, Gregg’s Greenhouse, and also owned a children’s bookstore in Hollis, The Parish Bookshelf. She was also passionate about the first-in-the-nation primary status. Gregg was first lady to the state of New Hampshire between 1953 and 1955. Her husband, at 36, was the youngest person to ever hold the office.

Read the full obituary on the Davis Funeral Home website.

Reaction to her passing

A number of political luminaries offered well wishes to the family on Saturday.

On Twitter, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said she was “very sad to learn” of her passing while former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown said he and his wife Gail were extending prayers and thoughts for the family.

Raymond Buckley, the chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, also offered “sincere condolences,” as did Jennifer Horn, the executive director of the NH GOP, who offered “prayers and sympathies.”

Former Gov. John H. Sununu, in a statement, said that Gregg “was a great a friend, a wonderful first lady and a tireless champion of traditional New Hampshire values. Nancy and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family and ask that people across New Hampshire keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Former Sen. John E. Sununu, the governor’s son, added, “The Gregg family has made a tremendous contribution to the State of New Hampshire. Mrs. Gregg was a friend, but more importantly she was an exceptional person who has left a strong and enduring legacy. Kitty and I extend our condolences to the Gregg family. She will be dearly missed.”