Andy CloseGretchen Graff Winans, 87, of Warren, Pa., died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at the Rouse Home, Youngsville, Pa.
She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 26, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Bessie Elder Graff.
Gretchen was a graduate of Blairsville High School and Allegheny College. She had been employed as a substitute school teacher with the Warren County School District. She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she served on many committees and worked for a period as an assistant secretary. She was very involved in community activities. She had served on the board of directors of Warren General Hospital, Warren Family Services, Children’s Aid Society and Warren County Cancer Society. Gretchen was a member of the Warren Women’s Club, Antique Study Club, Garden Club, Warren Shade Tree Committee, Young Mother’s Study Club, and a volunteer for the Reach to Recovery Cancer Outreach Program.
She is remembered as a woman who always had a smile for everyone and was a very compassionate and giving person. She had been a 48-year cancer survivor. The joy in her life was her family. She was an avid fisherwoman, boater, traveler, and gardener.
Gretchen is today survived by a son, David Graff Winans and his wife, Crissi and a daughter, Julia Winans McTavish and her husband, Scott, all of Warren, Pa.; a sister, Susanne Henderson (Bob) of Williamsburg, Va.; three granddaughters: Jessica Winans (Weston Miller) of Springfield, Ore., Katelyn Gilmore (Dr. Eric) of Canonsburg, Pa., and Rachel McTavish of Buffalo, N.Y.; three great-grandchildren; Tiera Ann Miller and Grayson David Gilmore and Jackson Theodore Gilmore: and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Gretchen and her husband, David Wesley Winans, who passed away on Dec. 21, 2021, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, (for social distancing reasons), with the Rev. Mike Rutenbur, visitation pastor, officiating. A reception will follow at the Conewango Club.
Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Warren General Hospital Cancer Center, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, PA. 16365, or First United Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren, PA. 16365.
