Gretchen Marie Bradford

A funeral liturgy will be celebrated for Gretchen Marie Bradford on Sunday, December 4, 2005 at 3pm at George Funeral Homes Historic Downtown Chapel, 211 Park Ave. SW Aiken. The family will receive friends immediately after the service. Memorial donations may be directed to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund 267 Laurens St. SW Aiken, SC 29801.

Mrs. Bradford, 61 of Aiken, died Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at the Medical College of Georgia after a brief illness. She was born in Sayre, PA and had lived in Atlanta, GA and Ft. Collins, CO before moving to Aiken in 1984.

For more than twenty years, Mrs. Bradford taught fourth grade at Aiken Elementary School. She kept a beautiful, loving and comfortable home for her family. She always gave her all to whatever she did; caring for her family, teaching, and being a friend. She was a staunch defender of her children, but would also hold them accountable for their actions. A respected moderator, Gretchen was known for being able to deal with extremely difficult situations with determination and a smile.

She is predeceased by her mother, Janice G. Lantz and her brother, F. Joseph Garthoff.

Mrs. Bradford is survived by her husband of 34 years, Bruce Bradford, Aiken, a son; Scott Bradford, Aiken, two daughters; Meghan David Bartholomew, Philadelphia, PA and Karen Vincent Crossan, Bahrain. She is also survived by her father Francis ?Pete? Garthoff, Aiken, and four grandsons; Conall Crossan, Malachy Crossan, Samuel Bartholomew and Adam Bartholomew.