Thelma Jo Colegrove, 95; Descendant of Greenwich's Founding Families

Thelma Jo Colegrove, a descendant of all seven of the original proprietors of the Town of Greenwich, died on March 8, 2014 of natural causes. She was 95. 

She was born at home on East Elm Street in Greenwich on Sept. 29, 1918, a daughter of Joseph and Ethel Mae Colegrove.

She maintained her own home in Old Greenwich until two days before her death.

Miss Colegrove attended Cos Cob School and graduated from Greenwich High School in the January class of 1937. She went to Merrill Business School in Norwalk for secretarial Training, worked at the Oarr-Colegrove Furniture Factory, the family business, and at several other local offices. She had a long career, beginning in the 1940s, as a buyer and then Administrative Assistant for Office Services for American Cyanamid Company in Stamford.

Miss Colegrove was a member of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich for more than 50 years. She was an active volunteer in the years following her retirement in 1983. She worked with the American Red Cross as a receptionist. Each Tuesday morning she staffed the front desk at the church office of First Church. Every Wednesday she was the cashier at the Rummage Room run by the Women's Fellowship of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich in Old Greenwich.

Gardening, sewing, cooking and boating were some of Thelma's favorite activities. With her sister Charlotte she owned a motorboat, the Cojo, which they enjoyed on Long Island Sound and on lakes in Canada during vacations. They also loved Chinese Pugs, following the breed, owning three and entering one in dog shows in the local area. She maintained correspondence with a penpal in England from the time of the World War II until the 1990s, and visited her in England on two occasions.

Miss Colegrove is survived by her nieces and nephews:, Penelope Jones Rothaug, Gregory David Jones, Rev. Sally Colegrove and Rev. Jonathan Colegrove, as well as grandnieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Charlotte Colegrove and Harriet Colegrove Jones and Allan Colegrove.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held  at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the First Congregational Church, 108 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the First Congregational Church of Greenwich for use by The Rummage Room.