Gretchen S. Vare

1954 - 2014

Gretchen S. Vare, 60, of Wayne, PA passed away August 18, 2014 in Wynnewood, PA. Gretchen was born in Philadelphia to Victor and Joanne Sencindiver on April 17th, 1954. She graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School (1972) and Juniata College (1976) with a degree in economics. Always about children! Gretchen's primary interest was working with children. She chaired the Junior Sailing program and the Sailing Committee at the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven, NJ for many years. Gretchen went to work at Stratford Friends School in Newtown Square, PA in 1996 where her oldest son, Bill, had been a student. Gretchen considered this the ultimate job for helping children and held numerous roles including Director of Public Relations & Communications, Board Member, and Director of Admissions. She worked tirelessly to make sure that children with learning differences received the education and support they needed. Gretchen worked especially hard with educational advocates and attorneys to make sure financially needy families were able to get appropriate assistance and funding for their kids. She lived to see a child's confidence and self-esteem grow. Gretchen spent each summer of her life on Long Beach Island, NJ where she felt most at home. She enjoyed exploring the bay in her sailboat and watching the beautiful sunsets from the deck of her house with family and friends. Gretchen is survived by her husband of 28 years, Henry; mother: Joanne Sencindiver and the late P. Victor Sencindiver; siblings: Michael (Laura), Christopher (Elizabeth) & Andrew (Kristin) Sencindiver and Mary Alison "Lissy" Condurso (Joseph); and sons: Michael and Bill Strong; stepchildren: Hank, Debbie and Jennifer Vare; nieces and nephews: Sara, Andy, Ben, Emily, Jack, Annie, Dana & Gillian Sencindiver and Alex & Sammy Condurso. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, August 28th for a gathering, in the Quaker tradition, at the Stratford Friends School - 2 Bishop Hollow Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Doors open at 1:00pm with the remembrances beginning at 1:30. In addition, a Memorial Service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents in Beach Haven, NJ on Saturday, September 6 at 10:30am with a reception following at the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club - 401 Berkeley Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Gretchen's name, to the Stratford Friends School at the address above.