Gretchen Norma Friedlan

Gretchen Friedlan passed away peacefully at home on August 12th surrounded by family. Though her passing came quickly and surprised many, the underlying health issues she has been battling for some time became too much to overcome.

Born in San Francisco, CA, Gretchen was raised primarily in Nicaragua until she returned to the United States after the 1972 earthquake. It wasn't long after that she met and married her husband Jim in 1974 with whom she would spend the next 50 years making the most of their life together. In their early years, you could find Gretchen and Jim taking their kids on road trips when little league games and dance recitals didn't interfere. And then later they would enjoy road trips by themselves to visit family and friends as well as explore many fun locations on countless cruise vacations. Gretchen loved having the cruise ship amenities all to herself when everyone else was exploring a port that she had already visited. Talk about smart!

Gretchen created friends with co-workers and those she cared for in a skilled nursing facility until it was time to start a family. The following years found Gretchen staying busy by volunteering with her children's school and participating in their extracurricular activities. Whatever was needed at whatever time, Gretchen was there. As her children got older, Gretchen connected with families who had aging loved ones that she was able to help with caregiving services. Many grew to consider Gretchen an extension of their own family.

From an early age, Gretchen had a maternal instinct that allowed siblings, extended family, and countless others to depend on her whenever they were in a time of need or just wanted to laugh. For those that knew her well or were just meeting her for the first time, Gretchen's style of communication allowed you to know exactly what was on her mind... and you couldn't help but love her for it.

Gretchen (Grandma Tortuga as her granddaughters would call her endearingly), is survived by husband Jim, children James (Pam Taylor) and Gabriella (Shawn) Stanzel, and her beautiful granddaughters.

Memorial Services for Gretchen will be held at 10am, Friday, September 20, 2024 at Santa Sophia Catholic Church. 9800 Juan St, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in Gretchen's honor be considered to either Light Bridge Hospice (https://lbhcf.org/donate/) or National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation (https://savetheseaturtle.org/).