Gretchen Louise Lovett passed on May 17, 2024. Gretchen was born on March 15, 1941 in Wheeling, West Virginia as Gretchen Louise McDermott to Russell and Ethel McDermott. She was raised with her older sister, Dorothy Neer (deceased), and younger brother, Russell McDermott (deceased). They moved from Wheeling to Wooster, Ohio in 1953 to live near her Uncle Melvin and Aunt Dorothy (both deceased) as well as their Uncle Rudy and Aunt Helen (both deceased).

Gretchen was a voracious reader throughout life, starting as a child when she nearly read the local library out of books. She graduated from Wooster High School in 1959 and went to Union College in Kentucky where she met many lifelong friends. Gretchen graduated from Union College in 1964 with an AB (Bachelors of Arts) with majors in German and English and minor in Religion.

It was at Union College that she met Gary Lovett. She and Gary were friends for two years before they began a romance that lasted 63 loving years. After spending a summer as camp directors together, they started their education careers in El Paso, Texas, where Gretchen taught English and German. After two years, they moved back north to Britton, Michigan. Gretchen continued to teach at Deerfield and later at Tecumseh, until they settled in Tecumseh, Michigan when she turned her attention to raising their young children—Andrew, Kent, and Mitchell. There they made many close friends. She stayed home with the children until Mitchell went to first grade, spending her time volunteering at Hidden Lake Gardens gardening and guiding tours. She also enjoyed baking when not studying for her masters degree.

Gretchen earned her Masters degree from the University of Toledo and took a job at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. Gretchen worked to build the Learning Development Center from a grant Anne Johnson and Gretchen received. Gretchen took a job as the Director of Retention Services at the University of Toledo in 1987. The family moved to Toledo in 1988. While working full-time she earned her PhD from the University of Toledo in Higher Education. Gretchen also taught at the University of Toledo and worked there until 1996.

Nearing retirement, Gretchen and Gary bought a home in Reading, Michigan and moved there full-time after selling their home in Toledo. During retirement, they split their time between homes in Michigan and Estero, Florida and eventually sold their home in Michigan. She had a wonderful and supportive community of neighbors and friends. She loved playing games like bridge and mahjong, doing water aerobics, and volunteering, including crocheting baby blankets and bonnets for babies with cancer. Gretchen and Gary traveled together with and to family regularly including multiple trips to Europe and around the United States. Throughout her life, Gretchen modeled the importance of family and connection. She walked to her father's funeral on her own as a young girl, she took care of her mother when she was ill, and she brought her Aunt Frances into her home until she was unable to take care of her.

Gretchen's husband, children, and their families survive her. Andrew is married to his wife Olivia Lovett and they have three children: Jordan Ceperov, Stefan Ceperov, and Stephanie Ceperov. Kent is married to Amy Lovett and they have two children: Morgan and Bailey. Mitchell is married to Cali Lovett and they have two children: Frances and Clark. In her final days, she was surrounded with the love of her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, The Children's Miracle Network , which, along with other children's hospitals, serves The Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.