Gretchen Leila Goerz

Gretchen Leila Goerz, 72, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, passed away October 19 with her family by her side. Gretchen was born July 23, 1941 in Orange, New Jersey to the late Winthrop Barnum Schenck and Charlotte (Riker) Schenck. She graduated from Clifford J. Scott high school in 1959. She studied nursing at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in New York City and became a registered nurse in 1963. Over the years she had many positions in nursing including working as a psychiatric nurse for the veterans administration and at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She was the school nurse at Cedar Hill Middle School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Later she worked for Ortho-Pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson as a Global Trials Manager conducting and presenting medical research to doctors around the world, specializing in OB/GYN medicine. After living in Basking Ridge, New Jersey for twenty seven years, Gretchen and her husband Frank Bavosa moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina where they enjoyed many years traveling, enjoying time with friends and relaxing on beaches. Gretchen is survived by her husband Frank Bavosa; her daughter Catherine Lili Suzanne Goerz and two sons Matthew Paul Goerz and Christopher Paul Goerz; and her granddaughter, Alyssa Goerz. Gretchen was preceded in death by her brother Peter Schenck. A private family memorial service will be held. Donations may be sent to Island Hospice in Savannah, Georgia. A private family memorial service will be held.