Gretchen West

Born an Army brat to the late Frank and Fran Gaffke, Gretchen is survived by her siblings Stephanie Crigger of Calabash, NC, brother Mark Gaffke of Summerville, SC, and was preceded in death by her sister Marianne Young. Her childhood was shaped by a close-knit family and a life on the move, carrying her from Germany to Hawaii, with many stops and memories in between. Gretchen decided to put down roots in Alexandria, VA in the late 1960's where she worked in banking and met her love, the late Mac West. They married in 1977 and two years later welcomed their daughter, Megan (West) Methot.

After many years living in Fairfax County, in 2004, warmer weather and retirement were calling. Gretchen and Mac moved to Sunset Beach, NC, where they enjoyed all that came with beach living and wonderful new friends.

Gretchen's “green thumb,” was parallel to none, often propagating or rehabilitating plants for friends or simply reminding her daughter to water her own. She took pride in her garden which seemed to look beautiful year-round. Gretchen loved reading and sharing books, she loved a great day on the beach, and after her move to Sunset, loved her Mahjong girls and all the time they spent together.

Most of all however, Gretchen loved her family. Her daughter Megan & son-in-law, Chris Methot, and especially her “peeps,” Emme and James. She was an exceptional mother in every sense of the word, yet somehow, she was an even more amazing, “GG.”

Gretchen never faltered in loving her family and friends deeply, and being able to laugh and find humor in the toughest of situations. She had a beautiful smile that she was rarely without, even with a shocking and unimaginable cancer diagnosis. “I have loved my life and will leave this world with no regrets.” What a gift - as was Gretchen to all who knew and loved her.

Come Spring, we will celebrate Gretchen with a brick laying ceremony in Sunset Beach.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel