It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gretchen Campbell Hess on August 13th, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 76. Gretchen will be greatly missed by her family; husband of 43 years, Robert Short, daughters Alison (Kevin) and Heather (Matt), grandchildren Clara, Ben, Emma, Charlie and Ella, and her brother, Andy Hess.
Born to James and Jeanette Hess in Dayton, Ohio on July 30th, 1948, Gretchen was a vibrant, sophisticated and passionate person who lit up every room. She was born prematurely just as incubators were invented, and the fighting, determined spirit that defined her early life stayed with her right to the last of her days.
A graduate of Indiana State University in 1969, she went on to complete her Masters degree at the University of Manitoba in Guidance & Counseling, and later her PhD at the University of Alberta in Educational Psychology, where she spent the remainder of her successful career. Gretchen was a popular professor, a dynamic Discipline Officer, a vigorous Vice Provost of Central Admission and an explicit editor for a European medical journal. Gretchen never balked at taking on challenges or finding solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems and she found great meaning and purpose from her dynamic career.
Gretchen loved her daughters, husband and grandchildren deeply. She was also lucky to have a warm circle of friends who visited and helped tend to her needs right to the end. She was courageous and tenacious in her convictions and initiatives. Her legacy will not be forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-4:00 on October 4th at The University Club in Edmonton. We are sure that Gretchen would appreciate those who can attend the celebration to wear their “most fun” earrings, shoes and/or accessories.
Greatest condolences to Gretchen’s family. She was a wonderful woman, colleague and friend. We were graduate students together at the U of A. She was a wonderful source of inspiration and I enjoyed working as her teaching assistant when she was a professor. I’m so sorry she struggled with such pain and illness. I didn’t see the obituary at the time and missed her memorial service. May she be at peace.
I am so sorry to have heard of Gretchen’s death too late to share in the celebration of her life. I worked with Gretchen at the University of Alberta and she and I shared some hair-raising discipline cases. She was an enormous pleasure to work with. My deepest and most sincere condolences to all of her family. She will be greatly missed by you all.
Gretchen, you will truly be missed. You would have been so proud of your family at your service yesterday. Cheers and Love, Lynne and family
Deepest sympathy Rob. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
I always enjoyed being alongside Gretchen in our pursuit of comprehensive sexuality education.
Gretchen was much loved by her DePauw University Theta sisters for all the reasons stated in her tribute: Smart, positive, energetic, always in the game!
We were both so very very sorry to hear about the passing of Gretchen.She had been married to my brother for many years and we were very lucky to have spent many fun vacations together.We enjoyed trips to England where we visited with Liz and Paul,Robert’s younger sister.They all came down to California several times and stayed with us and we had the opportunity to visit Rob and Gretchen in Canada .They were fun times to remember.May you now Rest in Peace Gretchen and be free from pain.
So sorry to hear. She was an adorable woman. My deepest condolences to the family!
I have so many fond memories of Gretchen (and Rob) while I was support staff in Educational Psychology at the U of A. She had a zest for life that was contagious. Her style…oh, her style. I’m so sorry for your huge loss but know that Gretchen will be remembered with a smile.
I so adored your mother. She was kind, interesting , interested in me and always a ray of sunshine. I’m sad she’s gone.
Dear Alison, Heather, and all of Gretchen’s family and friends,
I am so very sorry to see this sad news. Gretchen was such a wonderful colleague at the University of Alberta and just the best committee member to serve with ever. We often shared stories about Oakwood, Ohio, the neighborhood of Dayton where she was born and where I had one of my first teaching jobs.
She will be missed but always remembered.
Lux aeterna .
Alison , Heather and families
Paul and I were so sorry to hear the news of your mum’s passing. We only saw her infrequently either here in the uk or in the USA but the times we spent with her were always fun lovely and always enjoyable.
We loved her company. What a lovely mother she must have been.
Sending love and prayers to you all .
Love Paul and Angela
Gretchen was such a force – she leaves a huge legacy of family, colleagues and students who loved her.
Working with her and sharing a glass of wine after brings back so many good memories. And her beautiful office and home, always superbly curated. She will be missed.
I first knew “Gigi” at summer camp in Michigan, when we were in about 6th grade. We then crossed paths at DePauw University in Greencastle Indiana where we were sorority sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta. We reconnected thanks to the internet and I have enjoyed seeing all her family photos. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences to her family!