Gretchen Christine (Hoffmann) Mendez, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born on February 18, 1946 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to the late Eleanore Abigael Dahl and the late Frederick Theodore Hoffmann, passed away at age 73 on October 15, 2018 in Woodstock, Georgia. Gretchen is survived by her son, Eric Alexander Mendez; daughter, Nicole Christine Young; and sisters, Hildegarde Jeanne Boespflug and Abigail Bernice Dunlop.

Gretchen enjoyed smiling, laughing, spending time with her family, travel and volunteering. She traveled to five of the seven continents, including North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Gretchen was a volunteer docent with the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Gretchen loved animals and had several pets throughout her life-including dogs, cats and a bird. She also enjoyed volunteering with animal shelters.

Donations in Gretchen's name to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue and Shih Tzus & Furbabies Small Breed Rescue are welcome and appreciated.

Visitation  service will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018  from 11am-1pm at Lakeside Funeral Home.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 1pm at Lakeside Funeral Home chapel.