Gretchen Lash

Gretchen (Smith) Lash of Pasadena, CA, died unexpectedly from a brain hemorrhage on January 16, 2015 in Pasadena. She was 61 years of age. Born in Wethersfield, CT, Gretchen was the daughter of the late Margaret (Maslin) Smith and Seymour E. Smith. After attending schools in Wethersfield, Gretchen graduated from Miss Porter's School in Farmington CT and Cornell University. She received an MBA from Rice University in Houston, TX. Gretchen was a well-known executive in the investment industry. A partner at Lincoln Capital and William Blair in Chicago, she most recently served as the CEO of Roger Engemann & Associates in Pasadena. Gretchen was seen regularly as a guest panelist on "Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser" and CNBC. Gretchen was full of life, kind and generous beyond measure, witty, graceful and was gifted with a great sense of style, adventure and humor. She loved her pets, family and friends joyfully; she enlivened our lives. The creation and maintenance of her magnificent garden gave her such pleasure, while bringing much needed color and light to the world. She is survived by her beloved husband of 31 years, Randy Lash, her mother-in-law Betty Lash of Burlington VT, two brothers, Seymour Smith of Essex, CT and Malcolm Smith of Palm Coast, FL, and her brothers-in-law Mark Kuchark and Geoff Lash, sisters-in-law Katie Smith, Tia Smith Robin Kuchark, and a host of nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. The outpouring of love and support from friends and family stands as a testament to her inner beauty. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local animal shelter or pet adoption program.