STANDISH – Gretchen Donaghy Rosario, 60, passed away peacefully in her home on December 2, 2019 after battling endometrial cancer for the past 19 months.

She was born on December 6, 1958 in Fort Knox, Ky., to Richard and Sally Donaghy.

Gretchen grew up in Montpelier Vermont and graduated from Norwich University with a degree in early childhood education.

Gretchen met the love of her life, Michael Rosario, while working at Camp Pinecliffe in Harrison, Maine. She and Michael married July 17, 1982. Gretchen worked in early childhood education for much of her professional career as a care giver and eventually rose to Director of the Panzer Kaserne Child Development Center in Germany and the Children’s House in Kennebunkport. Over the last 14 years she worked at Lowe’s in Stafford, VA and Portland, ME. During her husband’s military career Gretchen lived on both the east and west coast of the United States, Okinawa, Japan and Boeblgen, Germany. Gretchen was able to travel to Japan, Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Turkey and many other countries and cities.

Gretchen is survived by her husband Michael Rosario of Standish; her son Michael Rosario II of Saco; her daughter Jessica and her husband Michael Sajecki of Biddeford and their daughter Sally; and daughter Megan Rosario of Alexandria, Virginia. She is also survived by her sister Karen Donaghy and her partner Gary Helfrich of Camp Meeker, CA, Susan (Donaghy) and her husband Thomas Heney of Essex Junction, VT and her brother David Donaghy and his wife Jennifer (Peterson) of Westerville, OH. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard N. and Sally (Wilcox) Donaghy.

Gretchen touched so many lives all over the world. She embraced life as a military wife and loved traveling the world with her husband, family and friends. She was a friend to everyone she ever met and always had a hug, a smile, a joke or whatever you needed. Gretchen was an avid crafter and in her spare time she was always making an afghan, baby blanket or quilt for someone. She participated in countless marches and fundraising events for everything from fighting breast cancer to ending Alzheimer’s.

Gretchen enjoyed crocheting, cooking, going to craft fairs and spending time with friends and family. She especially loved spending time with her children, her granddaughter, and her many nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 4 to 7 PM at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home 660 Brighton Avenue in Portland. A celebration of Gretchen’s life will take place on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 10:30 AM at the Funeral home.

To view Gretchen’s guestbook or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, www.athutchins.com, Westbrook, ME 04098

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gretchen’s name to the American Cancer Society.

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