Saratoga Springs - Gretchen Finn, beloved mother and grandmother, devoted sister and friend, faithful Democrat, and fixture of Water's Edge, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024, at the age of 78. Gretchen spent her life serving those who needed and appreciated her care.

Born in Troy, NY, to MaryJane Gunther (Burke) and Francis Norman Gunther, Gretchen was the eldest of six children. She attended Holy Names Academy, where her lifelong friendship with Elena Turley was cemented. Her remarkable siblings John, Ann, Phil, Kate, and Rose, played a huge role in her life, and in the annual singing of The Twelve Days of Christmas on December 24. It wasn't her musical talent that stood out when she recited the line, "Five golden rings," rather it was the joy evident from being surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. Fittingly, Gretchen welcomed her mother MaryJane into her home during the final years of MaryJane's life, modeling for all of us the value of aging with dignity.

Gretchen leaves behind an army of people who loved her, including her sons Eric and Drew Patrick, their spouses Gloria Dubuc and Nalini Jones, and her four grandchildren, Sophia, Phoebe, Thalia and Keira, who knew her as Gretchen's favorite title, "Grammy". In addition to her siblings, Gretchen was close with her nieces and nephews - Hester, Isabelle, Emily, Allison, Michael, Will, John, Madeline, Cormac, Seamus, and Claire. Gretchen also left behind many beloved members of her second family, the Finn clan. As a widow, Gretchen cherished the memories of her beloved husband, Fred Finn, who brought out the very best in her. Their marriage was joyful and full of love and affection, and Fred's enduring presence remained a source of strength and inspiration in her life. Both are no doubt looking down on us all with a knowing smile and a well-suited beverage.

Professionally, Gretchen served the Albany County Department of Health as a registered nurse while raising her eldest son, before taking on the vital role of a homemaker, devoting herself to raising her two sons and enriching their upbringing. During this stretch as a homemaker, she nurtured her family with the same care and dedication she brought to all her endeavors. As her children grew older, Gretchen returned to school to pursue a new passion and became an interior designer. Not content to ply her craft at a retailer with a healthy employee discount, Gretchen turned her talents toward the design of residential homes for adults with disabilities for NYS OMRDD (now OPWDD). A pioneer in this niche but vital field, she enriched the lives of those around her as much with her impeccable taste as with her warmth, generosity, kindness, and loyalty to her communities, whoever and wherever they were.

Gretchen will be remembered for her generous heart, her ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued and, of course, her unmistakable hair. Her home was always a gathering place open to friends, family, and the occasional stranger or passerby. The warm welcomes were matched only by the tidiness of her abode. Gretchen's legacy of love, kindness, and care will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her, especially within Carol and the other incredible Saratoga friends who helped make her last two decades so special.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00PM on Friday, March 21, 2025, at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY.  A burial will follow at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gretchen's memory to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY.