Gretchen A. Lucchesi

WAUNAKEE/UNITY, MAINE – Gretchen A. Lucchesi, passed away peacefully at the age of 62, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 at Don and Maryann HospiceCare after a long illness. She is survived by her mother, Helen Pfeifer of Mequon, Wis.; two sisters, Katherine (Jess) McCombe, of Wauwatosa, and Liese Pfeifer, of Waunakee; niece, Heidi Bechler, of Waunakee; and many other relatives and friends. Gretchen was preceded in death by her father, Dr. William Pfeifer and brother, William Pfeifer. Gretchen was a graduate of Shorewood High School, Milwaukee, WI, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, and the University of MA-Amherst, where she earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree. She was a member of the faculty in the Art department at Unity College where she taught for over twelve years. Gretchen had a gift for engaging people in connection with the arts. She was in an all woman rock and roll band from 1966-67 called the Moppets and from 1968-1970 called Ariel, playing keyboards around the east coast eventually being featured on the cover of Look and Life Magazines. She was also an accomplished artist specializing in pit fired clay sculptures exhibiting largely in Maine. Her friends describe her as challenging, funny, big-hearted, creative, caring, sharp, tough, opinionated and passionate about art and friends. Gretchen will be missed and fondly remembered by her family and her many, many friends. The family is grateful for the care Gretchen received at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and would like to thank the North Shore Congregational Church Prayer chain. We especially acknowledge the incredible circle of Mainers who assisted in her care and allowed Gretchen to maintain her independence until the last two months. A memorial service will be held on November 14 at 4 p.m. at the North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Fox Point, WI 53217. A reception will be held immediately following the service in Fellowship Hall. A memorial service in Maine will be held November 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Unity Center for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot Street, Unity, Maine 04988. A reception will follow the service. Gretchen has requested that any memorial contributions may be given to the Natural Resources Council of Maine for Public Land Acquisition, http://www.nrcm.org/ or Friends of Unity College Wetlands Fund, http://www.friendsofunitywetlands.org/ or the charity of your choice.