Obituary of Gretchen M. Froehlich

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“Gretchen” Mary Margaret Froehlich

 “Gretchen” Mary Margaret Froehlich died June 19, 2017 at her home in McKean, PA.  She was born in Erie on September 10, 1941, the daughter of the late Lawrence J. and Edith Niederriter Froehlich.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her children; Rachael Anne Moore Thompson Cummings and Christine Renee Moore, one sister Anne Metzger, and one brother Lawrence J. Froehlich, Jr. She is survived by her children: daughter, Lori Ferrick of Edinboro, sons: Jeffrey Moore (Tracey) and J. Richard Moore all of Erie, granddaughters: Lindsey Ryan, Holly Mukina (John), Malorie Schecter (Jonathon), Kimberly Yaw (Matthew), Kristianne Ferrick,  Thomas Moore, Jonathon Moore, seven great-grandchildren, four sisters: Christine Tatalone (Anthony), Rebecca Markle (Derek Gregory), Jeanne Jennings, Lisa Gillies (Donald), two brothers; David Froehlich (Christa), James Froehlich (Maggi), one sister-in-law Doreen Froehlich, and one brother-in-law John Metzger.  Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

Gretchen, raised in the Kearsarge neighborhood of Millcreek, attended St. George Parish and School, earning a scholarship to Mercyhurst Prep School (Class of 1958).  She earned Psychology and Nursing Degrees from Mercyhurst and Villa Maria College while juggling studies, part-time work, and raising her family.  She worked at the Hamot Behavioral Health Ctr. for many years until her own physical health issues forced her to leave employment.  She kept her nursing skills sharp in her later years by sharing her knowledge and checking vitals with the neighbors in her apartment complex.  Gretchen was gifted in the needle arts and other homemaking skills.  Always a gardener, she worked through the grief of her daughters’ deaths with her flower and vegetable gardens, passing on this passion to others.  She loved growing plants from seed, nursing them along into robust plants each spring.  At each place she lived, more flowers were blooming when she left than when she had arrived.  Her home was a gathering place for family events, including the annual summer water battles.  She was an accomplished and gifted cook, whose lasagna will never be duplicated.  Gretchen was a woman of faith.  She was an active participant in the early Folk Masses at St. Patrick’s Cauley Auditorium, and Immaculate Conception Church.  AS a member of St. Boniface Parish, she was active in the church choir, liturgy committee, and RCIA.  Her last parish was St. Francis Xavier in McKean.  She took over the grandmother role in the extended family for the young nieces and nephews after her own mother died in 1996.  She will always be remembered for her listening ability, quick wit, interesting discussions, storytelling, love of opera, literature, NY Times crosswords, and most importantly, her kind and generous heart founded in faith. 

No calling hours will be held.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church in McKean on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11 a.m.; in conjunction with a Memorial Service planned by the family for their recently deceased sister Anne Metzger of NM.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gretchen’s name to Because You Care, 6041 West Rd., McKean, PA 16426.  Condolences may be expressed at www.dusckasmartinfuneralhome.com.