Gretchen Piscotty
Aug. 18, 1962-May 6, 2018
Pleasanton, California
She was a woman who touched all with her love, care and grace. She has moved on to prepare the Piscotty family’s heavenly home, liberated from the shackles of ALS. Beloved mother of Stephen, Nicholas, and Austin, devoted wife and companion to her husband Mike, she was the bedrock of the Piscotty family and a trusted, empathetic friend to the scores of people she met. Born in Queens, NY to Elke and Artin Mikaelian, she was raised in Albuquerque, NM. She attended Del Norte High School and the University of New Mexico, where she met Mike on a spring break camping trip. They were married in 1985 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. Following the wedding, Gretchen and Mike took up residence in Livermore, CA where they began their careers. As their family grew, Gretchen lovingly devoted herself to raising their three sons. As the boys started high school, she began to work at Foothill High School and enjoyed working there throughout their college years. She was exceptionally proud of her sons graduating from Stanford, Duke, and soon, St. Mary’s College. When not in the stands supporting her sons at baseball games, she nurtured their ambitions off the field. Her other passions included crafting, quilting, rubber stamping, and collecting Longaberger baskets. She would craft many quilts for friends and family commemorating their special events. A lover of animals, she adored her family cats and had a special place in her heart for horses. When opportunities availed themselves, Gretchen could be found riding and tending to horses with whom she found a natural affinity. She is survived by her brother Alex, her mother Elke, her sons Stephen, Nicholas and Austin and her husband Mike. A reflection gathering will be held May 13th, at the Graham & Hitch Mortuary located at 4167 First Street, Pleasanton. Please join us beginning at 7pm to visit with family and friends and stay for a reflection led by Pastor Kim at 8pm. The celebration of life will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore at 11am, on Monday May 14th. Please send any donations in Gretchen’s honor to Horses Healing Hearts, Inc. (www.horseshealingheartsinc.org) or ALS TDI (https://www.classy.org/campaign/team-gretchen/c166633).
