Gretchen Miller Peery - Obituary

retchen Miller Peery passed away peacefully on July 21, 2022 at the home of her daughter in Annapolis,MD. Gretchen was born in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Shaler HIgh School in 1952 where she met her high school sweetheart Edwin “Ed” Peery. They married in 1955 while he attended University of Pittsburgh, earning 3 NCAA Wrestling championships. With his brother and father also 3 time NCAA individual champions, she became a part of collegiate wrestling’s most heralded families. In 1960, the Peery family moved to Annapolis MD to begin a 27 year Wrestling coach career at the US Naval Academy. Her “cheerleading voice and foot stomping” is legendary to wrestling officials and opposing teams at all levels. She was an intimidating force for such a petite woman. Gretchen enjoyed sponsoring midshipmen and planning wrestling team picnics. In 1985, they settled at Heron Walk in West River,MD. She hosted several weddings and numerous large picnics at her beloved home. Gretchen devoted herself to gardening, spending time with family and friends, daily Bible study and journaling, crabbing on Lerch Creek and attending her grandchildren’s sports and activities. She was a Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship from 1983-2000. In 2002, Gretchen and Ed were part of Grace Evangelical Presbyterian church plant in Davidsonville, MD. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was involved in the Women's ministry. Gretchen is survived by daughter, Martie (George) Milliken of Annapolis, MD, son in law Charles (Emily) Jackson of St. Mary’s City, MD, daughter in law Lori Peery of Merritt Island, FL, sister in law Ann Peery Ritter of Pittsburgh, PA and close family friend Karen Mack of Annapolis,MD.. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Chad Jackson, Eric (Minhlan) Jackson, Rebecca (Michael) Carlson, Christopher Dawson, Elizabeth (Morgan) Kupfer, Margaret Milliken, Peter Milliken, Lindsay (Kyle) Jones, Blake (Rachel) Peery, Hannah Peery and 11 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Ed Peery, daughter, Laurie Jackson and son, Gregory Peery, her parents John and Esther Miller and sisters Barbara Klavon and Suzanne Hahn. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11:30 am at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 4012 Birdsville Rd, Davidsonville MD 21035 followed by a reception. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bible Study Fellowship International.org or Hospice of the Chesapeake. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.KalasFuneralHomes.com