Gretchen (Metz) Jarvis
June 20, 1938 - March 14, 2022
Service: Mass of Christian Burial in St. Ferdinand Church, Monday 10:00 a.m.
Gretchen Metz Jarvis of Pittsburgh, PA, age 83, daughter of the late Frederick William Metz and Pauline Elizabeth Giel, transitioned peacefully to eternal rest on March 14, 2022 after a swift and courageous battle with cancer.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, John Francis Jarvis.
Gretchen was born in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh on June 20, 1938. She attended Help of Christians and St. Cyril of Alexandria and graduated high school from Divine Providence Academy. After high school, Gretchen graduated from Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing.
Gretchen pursued a career in nursing and retired from Suburban General Hospital in Bellevue after 32 years.
Gretchen’s greatest joy in life was her family and she was an endlessly proud mother and grandmother. Gretchen also relished traveling — highlights being two trips to Europe and wintering in Naples, Florida for over 20 years with John. She loved to visit her kids and grandkids in their locales as well.
Gretchen was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church. Gretchen also enjoyed walking, gardening, reading, puzzles, water aerobics and bowling, especially with friends and family.
Gretchen is survived by her three children, Lisa Jarvis Devine (Pittsburgh, PA) married to Bob Devine, Keith Jarvis (Torrington, WY) engaged to Stacy Brown and Paul Jarvis (Alexandria, VA) married to Beth Herre Jarvis, her five cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, Jack, Maeve and Derek, all of whom inherited her fiercely stubborn streak (!) and her brother Fritz Metz (Burlington, NC) married to Carol Metz and their daughter, Gretchen’s goddaughter, L.J. Metz.
We are comforted that Gretchen will once again be reunited with her parents and John, the love of her life. She will be greatly missed by all of us. Heaven is about to get far more tidy and better organized with Gretchen’s arrival !
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday March 21, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Ferdinand’s followed by Inurnment at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gretchen’s honor to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1028 Benton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. https://littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.weshareonline.org
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
REST IN PEACE…….