Gretchen (Keefer) Reed

Gretchen Reed, 85, of Liberty Twp., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Liberty Health Care Center. Gretchen was born December 25, 1933 in Youngstown, OH the daughter of the late Jacob Paul and Jessie Mae (Moser) Keefer. Gretchen was a  lifelong resident of Liberty Twp. She was a 1951 graduate of Liberty High School and was president of her senior class. Gretchen received the English Scholarship presented by the Liberty Mothers Club. After high school Gretchen went to Baldwin Wallace College after receiving the Methodist Scholarship to attend and graduated in 1955. Gretchen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, minor in music, and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority and the Kappa Phi Club. Gretchen received her Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist from Youngstown State University, class of 1981. Gretchen was an Elementary teacher at Liberty Schools teaching third grade from 1955-1959 and 1967-1992. She also was an elementary teacher at Girard City Schools from 1966-1967. Gretchen was an Elementary teacher for 32 years. She was selected Outstanding Teacher in 1975 and 1989 and also received the Jennings Scholar from 1984-1985. She was an active member in the Church Hill United Methodist Church, where she served as Stephen Ministry Leader, Historian, Peace Advocate, Lay Delegate to annual conference, Sunday School teacher and leader, Vacation Bible School teacher, was a 60 year Choir member, taught Disciple Bible Study, was apart of Church and Society for the Youngstown District, and was active in United Methodist Women serving two terms as President. Gretchen participated in many organizations including; Trumbull Retired Teachers Association where she was a lifetime member, Ohio Education Association, National Education Association, Trumbull Area Reading Council, where she served as President, Beta Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, where she was also president from 1992-1994, Proto Club of Girard, Sunrise Chapter of Eastern Star #458, Phi Delta Kappa, and Alumnae of the Kappa Phi Club. Gretchen founded Blott School Kids Project that gave clothing and gifts to children from Liberty Twp., for the past 30 years. She coordinated hundreds of volunteers over the years who supported the project. Gretchen volunteered after retiring at Blott School as part of the HOSTS/Project MORE reading program. Gretchen received many awards in her lifetime, she was selected as the first "Person of the Year" by Liberty Twp. Trustees in 2003, she was selected by the Liberty Historical Society as "Women of the Year" in 2008, and was one of eleven winners of the Tribune Chronicle's 2011 Community Star Awards. Gretchen leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Wendy (Michael) Szakacs of Liberty Twp., along with 3 grandchildren; David and Jessie Szakacs, and Jenna Baughman. She is preceded in death by her husband, John R. Reed whom she married June 25, 1955 and passed away June 21, 2007, her daughter, Beth Baughman whom passed away January 27, 2002, and two brothers; Gene and Johnathan Keefer. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 9th, 11:00 AM at Church Hill United Methodist Church. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, November 8th from 5-7 PM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. The family would like to thank the staff at Liberty Health Care Center and Harbor Lights Hospice for their kind and compassionate care that was given to Gretchen. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Church Hill United Methodist Church for the Blott School Kids Project; 189 Churchill-Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505. Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.