Gretchen Shoop Obituary

SHOOP

Gretchen Pifer

Gretchen Pifer Shoop passed away peacefully with family on June 14, 2015, after a brave struggle with cancer. Gretchen was a longtime resident of Toledo, Maumee, Cincinnati and Perrysburg, Ohio. At the time of her passing she was living in Byfield, Massachusetts. True to her bright spirit, she continued to find joy, love, laughter and friendship in the last months of her life.

Gretchen was born on September 15, 1938, to Dr. G. William and Catherine Pifer in Findlay, Ohio. She graduated from Maumee Valley Country Day School in Toledo, Ohio in 1956, and attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. She spent time in New York City studying dance before returning to Toledo to marry David E. Shoop on June 17 of 1960. They were married for 48 years until David's passing in 2008.

A rare beauty inside and out, she was an immense talent who worked extensively in theater, modeling, and interior and event design. Throughout the 1960's she acted in numerous productions produced by the Cleveland Playhouse, the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, and the Village Players. Gretchen was also a fashion model for many area events and businesses, on the runway and in print. In the 1970's, under the stage name 'Jensen Moore', she was the resident actress in various Summer Star Theatre productions where she shared the stage with the many well known performers, including Van Johnson, Buddy Ebsen, John Forsythe, and Pat Paulsen. In the 1980's Gretchen became the Fashion Director for the Lion Store, had a stint as a radio show host, was lead designer for several major Toledo area events and also a chair on the Board of Directors for the Make A Wish Foundation.

A luminous personality who enlivened every space she entered, Gretchen made an immediate and lasting impression on everyone she met. Gretchen exuded glamour, style, and grace. She brought these qualities out in others in her presence. She was first and foremost dedicated to her family. A devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, she put her family's needs above her own, without fail. She also provided loving, long-term care for both of her parents in their last years, as well as for her husband as he coped with the impact of Alzheimer's disease.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and M. Russell Treu, and niece, Madchen Treu. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Hans and Karen Shoop of Wrentham, MA; daughter, Heller Shoop, and daughter-in-heart Greta Schaefer of Byfield, MA; granddaughter, Yva Shoop and her fiancé Bob Brickner of Woodville, OH; nephew, Martin Treu of Chicago, IL; grandniece, Rachel White of Toledo, Ohio; brother, Peter Pifer of Atlanta, GA; sister, Sally Stimmel, and niece, Jen Opperman of Mansfield, Ohio, and her inseparable guardian angel on earth, Teddy Braveheart.

Gretchen also leaves behind many beloved friends who are indeed family, and all brought love, fun and comfort to Gretchen throughout her life.

Private burial arrangements have been handled by Paul Rogers & Sons of Amesbury, MA.

Should a tribute be considered, Gretchen's family hopes you will donate to: Small Dog Rescue, PO Box 433, Mayville, MI 48744, (517) 761-7089.

"She so loved the stars that he would never fear the night." -Anonymous

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Jun. 21, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Gretchen Shoop

8 Entries

June 23, 2015

Force of nature indeed. I was in the acting company of The Playhouse in the Park where Gretchen was always the leading lady and I was second banana. Shows in the summer at the zoo and the winter and the house on Jefferson She was a marvelous actress and friend and I send sympathy to her family I only met Hans when he was little. "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

June 22, 2015

To Gretchen's Family and Friends...

Indeed, a rare beauty, inside and out, has left this earth, and my deepest condolences to those of you who are mourning her passing.

I worked with Gretchen at both the Toledo Repertoire Theatre as well as other theatrical venues and she was, indeed, special. And, gifted.

May she rest in peace. I will let her old Toledo friend, Sheila Sabrey, know of her passing. God speed, Gretchen.

With Sympathy,
Evelyn Powers,
formerly of Temperance, Michigan
Bloomington, Indiana

Cecil Rohrbacher and family

June 21, 2015

My heartfelt sympathy to all of the family and to all her friends. She was a great lady who left behind a wonderful legacy and will be missed by all who knew her

Merry Gore Valentin

June 21, 2015

I shall never forget all the wonderful times I shared with Gretchen growing up in Findlay, Ohio! She and my twin did everything from stealing her sister's cigarettes, going to Toledo for her ballet lessons, playing in her neat play house, having overnights in the above garage apartment, spending time with our Mother and Gretchen and Mrs. Pifer on Lake Erie, being in their wonderful huge home w)their dachshunds, going w)Dr.Pifer to see an Underground Railroad site in Bellefontaine. At the time I had no idea what in the world an "underground railroad" was but I hung on to the memory until I knew the answer. You were a star, dearest Gretchen and I'm sad that you're not shining anymore! My condolences to her family and friends for her loss. I loved her, too.

June 21, 2015

All of us were blessed to know "that neighbor lady" when she and David lived with "Pookie" on River Road, next to my parents, "Bud" & Marian Teadt.

Elegant stories and great fun abounded at cocktail hour (and a half) and 'Oh that memorable voice'.

Without a doubt, "Biggie" inspired the donations to the Small Dog Charity.

As they are all reunited, may the revelry begin again! Lovely & Lively and truly 'one of a kind'--blessings to Gretchen and to David, Pookie, Biggie, Bud, Marian & Daisy--some of the many RIVER RATS who celebrated the greatest gift--LIFE ON THE RIVER.

Karyn & Michael Teadt

Kenneth Kiefer

June 21, 2015

I will miss helping you Toledo has lost a great lady.

June 21, 2015

Gretchen was a force of nature, all by herself. My brother was lucky enough to have her as a f riend and classmate; our kids were at MVCDS with Hans & Heller.
OUr deep sympathy to Hans, Heller and their families.
Joan & Bruce Hankins
Pemberville, Ohio

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