Gretchen Stephens

WARRENTON, Va. - Gretchen Brooks Booth Stephens, lifelong artist and equestrian, died in peace at her home in Casanova, Va., surrounded by family and friends, on May 11, 2015, a few days before her 86 birthday.
A native of Bradford, Pa., Gretchen early discovered her lifelong passions for art and for equestrian sports. Born in 1929 to noted Bradford, Pa., oil producer A.E. (Ed) Booth and former Bradford hospital nurse Myrtle Brooks Booth, she began riding at the age of 5 and enjoyed a successful show jumping career as a young adult.
Introduced to foxhunting while attending Madeira School, Gretchen continued hunting thereafter. While in training as an artist at the Pittsburgh Art Institute and the Art League of New York, she continued foxhunting with Genessee Valley in New York and in Pennsylvania, with Westmoreland, Hart's Run and Chestnut Ridge.
Married to T. Scott Stephens in 1950 in Bradford, Gretchen continued foxhunting, showing (but more often as an organizer, steward or judge), and painting. Along with their son, Tom, they often came to Virginia for the spring and fall steeplechase meets, which in those days, sometimes saw Scott's brother, Grover, astride the winner. After renting a few places while they looked for their own farm, the family made the move to Virginia permanent with the purchase in 1959 of the home of Harry Edmonds, who served as the first Master of Foxhounds for Casanova Hunt.
After she and Scott divorced in the mid-60s, Gretchen continued her artistic development through classes at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Va. She concentrated her skills on foxhunting scenes and subjects in different media - mostly oils and watercolors - and became a successful commission painter, as well. Gretchen served as MFH for Casanova Hunt from 1972 to 1984. She was always ready to provide whatever was needed - a horse to ride, tack to use, a helping hand, or an encouraging presence - to those wishing to pursue the sport. She mentored many over the years.
She continued to live on her farm with her horses and dogs, sharing her lifetime of knowledge with any and all, supported by a village of friends and her family - son & onetime Bradford resident Thomas S. Stephens and daughter-in-law Johna Pierce of Davidsonville, Ma., and granddaughter Rachael Stephens of Brooklyn, N.Y.; stepchildren Tim Stephens (Lisa) and Brooke Stephens; and stepgrandsons Walker and James Stephens, all of Richmond, Va. Gretchen will be remembered well for her quiet knowledge, her generosity, her love of hounds and horses and a good conversation, and her unquestioning support of artistic passion, regardless of its focus.
A celebration of Gretchen's life was held on the Lawn at Weston in Casanova, Va., on June 20, 2015. Donations in her memory may be made to the Warrenton Antiquarian Society, the SPCA in Casanova, VA, or any equine-related charity of choice.