Gretchen Van Bourgondien

Gretchen Louise Van Bourgondien, of Easton, MD died at William Hill Manor, Easton on Friday, May 2, 2008. She was 92. Born on July 30, 1915 in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Margaret Lorsbach Benjamin. After graduating from secondary school, she attended Baynard College, Cortland State College, Columbia University and New York University, where she received a B.S. degree in education Mrs. Van Bourgondien then taught High School on Long Island from 1936 to 1943 when she took a position as a control tower operator for Republic Aircraft.. On February 14, 1942 she married Cornelius Van Borgondien at St. Patrick’s Church, Bay Shore N.Y; they resided in West Babylon until 1959 when they moved to Talbot County. After moving to Talbot County, she worked as secretary for the Maritime Museum, St. Michaels and later as Office Manager at Wheaton Tubing from 1972 to 1983 until her retirement. Mrs. Van Bourgondien was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish where she and her husband were most influential in the construction of the St. Michaels Chapel, where they attended, and she served on the St. Ann and Joachim Society. She was also a member of the Talbot Little Theatre, Soroptimist International of Talbot County, and the Auxiliary at Memorial Hospital at Easton and served on the Board of Directors at the Dixon House. In addition to her husband of 66 years, Mrs. Van Borgondien is survived by two sons; David Van Borgondien of Falls Church, VA and Donald Van Borgondien of Trappe, MD; two grandchildren, Donald Van Borgondien, Jr and Christopher Straub. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marie Straub and a brother, Stanley J. Benjamin. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Wednesday May 7, 2008 at the St. Michaels Mission Chapel. Friends may call on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A. Easton, MD from 7:00 to 8:00 PM . Entombment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Easton. Serving as pallbearers will be; Donald Van Bourgondien, Jr; Charles Connolly III, Robert Gilkerson, William Harding, Jeff Whitzel and Shelby Clendaniel. Memorial donations may be made to the Maintenance fund for St Michaels Chapel, 7906 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD or to Talbot Hospice Foundation 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601. Arrangements are by by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home P.A., Easton.

Gretchen Van Bourgondien

July 30, 1915 - May 2, 2008