Gretchen Marie Life and Frank O'Brien Andrew

Dr. Gretchen Marie Life, age 39, and her husband Frank O'Brien Andrew, age 38, both of Grenta, LA, died tragically on Saturday, December 3, 2005, in a boating accident on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their love for each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. Gretchen, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, will be greatly missed. She held a degree in Psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and was a 2003 graduate of the University of Colorado Medical School. She was within six months of completing her pediatric residency program at Louisiana State University Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Gretchen recently accepted an employment offer as a pediatrician in Rifle, Colorado, and was to start her career there with the Grand River Medical Center in August of 2006. She and Frank married in the summer of 2002 and were excited about returning to Colorado. Gretchen worked and lived for many years in both Greeley and Ft. Collins, Colorado, prior to attending medical school in Denver. She is survived by her parents, Sandra and Richard Life of Ft. Collins; her grandmother, Luella Bailey of Loveland, Colorado; brothers, Rick Life and Kevin Life; sisters, Diane Raynes, Angelica Irwin, and Caren Singleton all of Colorado; several relatives, and many close and cherished friends from every place she lived. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Children's Hospital, ""In memorial of Dr. Gretchen Life''. Mail to: The Children's Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118. Frank, beloved son, brother and uncle, was a native of Ohio. He was a graduate of the Yellow Springs High School, and earned a degree in Finance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He retired as a software consultant for Peoplesoft, Inc., and was building a reputation as a writer. Frank, a true ""Renaissance Man'' had many diverse interests and talents; including a black belt in karate, scuba diving, painting in a variety of mediums, glass blowing, and creative woodworking. He lovingly handcrafted the boat they sailed. He leaves his mother, Lois Marie Gladchild of Yellow Springs, Ohio; his father, Richard H. Andrew of Trinidad, Colorado, and his sister, Elizabeth Lynn Andrew, her partner, three nephews and a niece of Peebles, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 or American Atheists. A Memorial Service for Gretchen and Frank will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2005, at 7:00 PM in The Children's Hospital Auditorium.