Gretchen Ann Kraft

Our beloved sister, daughter, niece, aunt, and friend died on June 25, 2020, age 50, of breast cancer. A lifelong Northern Virginia resident, she graduated from WT Woodson HS and Virginia Commonwealth University. She was a supremely talented and admired editor, voracious reader, fashion critic, adoring aunt, and Simpsons savant. She is survived by her sister Bridget Kraft, stepbrother Mike Weinsheimer, mother Susan Weinsheimer, and loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Kraft and her beloved grandparents. The family suggests the following for donations in Gretchen’s memory. Thanks to all who’ve asked for this info and sorry it took us so long to provide! If you contribute, please give Gretchen’s name and indicate in a comment box or email that this is a memorial gift: 1. She loved to watch the bear cameras at Katmai National Park through Explore.org and, at one point, she was a volunteer camera monitor: Katmai Conservancy, PO Box 90921, Anchorage, AK 99509 https://www.katmaiconservancy.org/ https://www.katmaiconservancy.org/become-a-friend-support-katmai/ 2. This organization is run by her friend Lindsey Swanson and was one that Gretchen would promote during fall and spring fundraising campaigns: Kelley Cares Foundation, 203 E. Luray Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301 https://kelleycares.org/ https://www.givegab.com/nonprofits/kelley-cares-foundation 3. Consider buying a book from this independent bookstore. Gretchen admired how it started as a pop-up and has remained and thrived. Their web store is open and they also offer contactless curbside pickup of purchases: Old Town Books, 104 South Union Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, 703-647-9749 https://www.oldtownbooks.com/ 4. Gretchen loved how they empowered under-served girls (and families) through visual arts, carpentry, life skills lessons and creative one-to-one mentoring. Space of Her Own, Inc., 520 King Street, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22314 http://spaceofherown.org/donate/