Anita Marie Gretz

It is with great sadness that the family of Anita Marie Gretz announces her passing following a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Mrs. Gretz, 81, passed away peacefully in her home on December 12, 2024. 

She was born on October 5, 1943, in Davenport, Iowa to Michael and Irma (Schaumberg) Walsh. On August 29,1964 she married Dr. Ronald J. Gretz. They celebrated 54 years of marriage prior to Dr. Gretz’s passing in 2019. 

Mrs. Gretz attended high school at Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, Iowa. Following high school, she became an administrative assistant within the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. After relocating to Canonsburg in 1966, Mrs. Gretz was a stay-at-home mother for many years prior to attending the Washington Hospital School of Nursing and becoming a registered nurse. She worked at Washington Hospital, as well as both locations of Canonsburg Hospital, and eventually became a teacher at several vocational technology schools where she mentored future LPNs. She also worked within her husband’s chiropractic practice for many years. 

Mrs. Gretz was a member of the Canon McMillan board of school directors for many years, and served on the Canonsburg Hospital Foundation board. She was a long-time member of Symphony South and was a volunteer for the Watchful Shepherd Program.

She was an avid reader, and also a huge fan and active at home participant of ‘Jeopardy. Anita most recently, during her time at Friendship Village, developed many new friendships while being a monthly volunteer of the “Friendly Table”, a member of the book club and Mah Jong club. Mrs. Gretz also was a pastoral counselor in the health center at her facility.

She is described by friends and family as being a fiercely independent, smart and strong woman, while remaining fun loving and helpful to all the people she loved and cared for.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Dr. Laurel Gretz Pisciottano (Maurice) and her son Dr. Jeffrey Gretz (Beth), five grandchildren, Erica Smutney (Hayden), Julia Mikec (Christopher), Michael, Matthew and Marc Pisciottano, and great granddaughter Hazel Marie Smutney, sister Colleen (Larry) Anderson, brother Michael (Reva) Walsh and several nieces and nephews. Decease in addition to her husband and parents is her brother Donald Walsh

Friends and family are welcome from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Sunday December 15, 2024, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra LFD owner/Supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg where departing prayers will be recited at 9:40 am December 16, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am in St. Oscar Romero Parish St. Patrick Church 317 West Pike Street Canonsburg. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery will be private. To view or extend condolences please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.