Gretchen Duncan

Gretchen Duncan passed away quietly in Williamsburg, Va  April 25, 2022.  Gretchen was born in Ross, Ca, August 29, 1949 to Roberta (Merz) and Leonard Knittel.  She was one of seven children.  She is survived by her siblings Kathleen Hodgkin, Australia, Victoria Parlante, New Mexico,  Constance Holgate (twin), California, Paula Veveiros, Arizona and Kevin Knittel, Montana. Gretchen was preceded in death by her sister Mary Stefani, California. Gretchen’s son Clayton Duncan lives in Idaho.

  Gretchen attended Saint Rafael’s grammar school, Notre Dame High School, San Mateo Jr College, all in California. Although she worked in several areas while maintaining a family in the San Francisco Bay Area, she became excited to go to the East Coast where she joined her sister Victoria, husband Michael and their family Matthew, Teresa (husband Neil, Simon (wife Catherine) and son Briar in Williamsburg,

  Gretchen loved Williamsburg almost as much as her little red truck.  Captured by its beauty, history, culture and art Williamsburg became her permanent home.  Her diversity of jobs from Lowe’s, Bush Gardens, William and Mary College, and especially Design Master  accentuated her dedication, cleverness, attention to detail and incredible  dexterity in assembling beautiful ornaments of museum quality for their many gift shops including Washington D. C. and the Biltmore Mansion, North Carolina.

   She will be missed.