Gretchen D. Gedroiz

Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 14, 1946, she was the daughter of Edward and Gertrude (Darling) Callaghan.

Gretchen graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1964. She then continued her education by attending Albany Business College, North Country Community College in Saranac Lake and Centenary University in New Jersey. Gretchen later went to work at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake as an administrative assistant to the director of student affairs. After many years at the college, she moved to New Jersey and worked as an administrative assistant at Ethicon-Johnson & Johnson. She then moved to Albany and worked as a sales representative and sales manager for Abbott Pharmaceuticals.

After Gretchen retired in 2012, she moved back to Ray Brook to be closer to family and her beloved Adirondacks. Gretchen was known for her adventurous spirit and love of outdoor trekking with her many close North Country and Albany companions. She had a passion for hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, canoeing and camping. Gretchen was an active member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, participating in and organizing many adventures. Her enthusiasm for world travel brought her to the far reaches of the globe, including Africa, where she made many special friends in Tanzania. She was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake.

She is survived by her two brothers Leonard Callaghan (Karen Pittman) of Ray Brook and Jules Callaghan (Sue Johnston) of Upper Saranac Lake, two step brothers, James and Ivan Bickford of Saranac Lake, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Gabriels, with Pastor Joann White officiating.

Friends wishing to remember Gretchen may make memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.