Slipped away quietly in her sleep at home with her family gathered to her side on December 27, 2024 after a recent diagnosis of brain cancer. Fortunately, she suffered no pain or discomfort and she left her family as peacefully as she lived her entire life.
Wife of Raymond Reid and mother of Darren (Rhona) and Andrea, Gretchen was the loving and cherished grandmother of Chaylene, Keldon, Carys, Viktoria, Ava and Mia. Born in Sarasota, Florida January 24, 1949, she was part of a large extended family with many brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces who she loved dearly.
After the family moved to North Tonawanda, New York, Gretchen attended primary and secondary school before studying at the University of Buffalo as a German major. One evening in January of 1968, she caught Raymond’s eye as she played the hymns for a church service in Niagara Falls, New York. After the summer semester she transferred to the University of Guelph and she and Raymond were married on March 1, 1969.
A devoted mother and grandmother in every way, she taught her family by demonstrating an unconditional love and attending every school event. She filled her kitchen with the aroma of baking and most weeks the harvest table creaked under an abundance of home-cooking for friends and family. Right until her last days, Gretchen’s uplifting piano music floated from the living room and she possessed a particularly graceful touch as she played favorite hymns two or three times a day. Indeed, her life was one constant song of appreciation.
She freely shared complimentary words of acknowledgement and praise, whether to the man stocking groceries or to the parents of a toddler in the park. She wanted people to know they mattered and that she appreciated their efforts. We will always remember her gentleness, her smile, her laughter, her caring heart and her non-judgmental attitude. Her love touched our hearts and changed our lives for the better.
After her children finished high school she volunteered at Guelph Wellington Hospice, often sitting overnight and offering compassionate care and support for those in the final stages of their lives. Dedicated, she attended many seminars in Colorado on grief counselling and threw herself into that aspect of hospice as well. After finishing her degree at University of Guelph in mid-life, she became an ESL teacher to help newcomers settle into a new life in Canada. Students gravitated to her gentle manner, engaging lesson plans and positive affirmations that they could do it. As recently as this past week cards and gifts arrived from students who know she still loves and cares for them.
Gretchen lived a life of deep faith and trust in God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the Pure in Heart for they shall see God.” And we who knew and loved her, take comfort in the assurance that she has indeed realized that promise and is safely home with her Lord to whom she dedicated her entire life.
She was laid to rest on January 3, 2025 in an intimate family service under blue skies. The day was cold and sunny and, fittingly, big beautiful snowflakes drifted down and blanketed the ground before nightfall.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Gretchen S. Reid in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.