Gina Hitcho Garretson, 74, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 28, 2021, in Abington, Pennsylvania.
She was born in 1947, the first of seven children born to Michael E. and Frances J. (Mehlakowski) Hitcho in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
She graduated from Louis E. Dieruff High School in Allentown with the class of 1965. Gina continued her education at Bloomsburg State College (now Bloomsburg University) in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, receiving both her undergraduate degree (1969) and graduate degree (1970) in special education. Gina taught special education at the Pennhurst State School in Spring City, Pennsylvania, and at the North Penn Intermediate Unit (now Montgomery County Intermediate Unit) in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Gina married Craig C. Garretson on January 20, 1973 in Allentown, Pennsylvania and shortly after that moved to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of three children: Todd Richard, Ross Michael and Gwen (Sunny) Marisa. In 1994, they moved to Solebury, Pennsylvania, where they raised their family. Gina and Craig enjoyed 48 years of marriage where they cherished time spent with family and friends, entertaining, traveling and building countless treasured memories together.
Gina worked in accounting for ten years, where she played a critical role in the development and growth of Elmar Window Fashions, which was based in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Gina and Craig worked tirelessly while raising their three children to build the family business.
Gina was a 12-year member of the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, where she served as an usher and a member of Senior Adult Ministries. She also led several groups for the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), which supports the continued education of women through scholarships, grants and awards.
Gina loved her family. She was especially devoted to her children and grandchildren and enjoyed nothing more than watching them excel in athletics and academics. She was an avid team mom and volunteer at Lenape Valley Swim Club throughout her children’s younger years. She was known for her generosity, smile and laugh, and always had a gift for the people she encountered. In 2007 Gina and Craig purchased a home at the Avalon shore, where they enjoyed many memories with their children and grandchildren. Gina proudly displayed her children’s alma mater flags from the balcony of their shore home and treasured watching beautiful sunsets, fireworks and boats with grandchildren and Craig.
She is survived by her husband, Craig; her sons: Todd (Lauri) Garretson of Atlanta, Georgia and Ross (Melissa) Garretson of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania and daughter, Sunny (Austin) Vandegrift of New Hope, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren: Lauren, Landon, Lex, and Lily Garretson; Noah and Elyse Garretson; Weston and Colette Vandegrift; her brothers: Michael E. Jr. Hitcho, Anthony (Barbara) Hitcho and Daniel (Karen) Hitcho; her sisters: Monica (Wayne) Christman, Maryanna (Julius) Funaro and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Glenn Horrocks; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Gina’s life will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 10th at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 East Court Street, Doylestown, Pennsylvania where the family will greet guests from 9:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be private.
In honor of Gina’s love of animals, memorial contributions may be made to the Bucks County SPCA: buckscountyspca.org or P. O. Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931.