Gretchen Levan Lund

Gretchen grew up in Shamokin PA. Shamokin was a coal mining town - Gretchen graduated from Coal Township High School in 1965 and in recent years has been actively involved as an alumna. In that place and time going to college was rare for high school graduates. Gretchen found office work in local factories until she was recruited to come to work in DC. (The word was out that good workers could be found in PA and they sure found one in Gretchen.) Gretchen came to DC in 1968 to work at an insurance association. She ended up working at that association and another related association for about 20 years. She then began working as a hairstylist (she had obtained her license in the early seventies but never used it). This was her passion. Gretchen worked at several different salons before settling in at Hair Magic in Burke VA where she worked almost 20 years. Gretchen volunteered with the Look Good - Feel Better program (sponsored by the American Cancer Society) to help women with cancer. She loved doing this and did it for a long time. About 3 years ago Gretchen retired from the hair business reluctantly because of physical issues. Gretchen accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour in the seventies and pursued her new faith with vigor. She was a member of Arlington Memorial Church (Christian and Missionary Alliance) for many years and was a member of Knollwood Community Church at the time of her death. She read the Bible and books about Christianity all the time. It was an essential part of her life. Her friends meant everything to her. Gretchen was always doing something with her friends (usually helping) and this defined her along with her love for Jesus. Gretchen married Allan Lund in 1984 and was a wonderful wife for almost 34 years. Gretchen and Allan lived in a town house in Annandale which has a beautiful patio that Gretchen loved to decorate with plants and flowers. Gretchen liked shows such as Walker Texas Ranger and anything on the Hallmark channel. Gretchen really enjoyed life and could laugh with gusto. Everyone liked being around Gretchen because she was a good listener, a selfless giver, and a compassionate friend. If you knew Gretchen you know how beloved she was to everyone. She was a really good person and a true child of God. All of us will miss her greatly but we know we will see her in heaven one day.