Gretchen Evelyn Amer

Gretchen Evelyn (Maciulewicz) Amer peacefully passed away on March 16, 2023 after celebrating her 75th Birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Gretchen was born on March 12, 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Edward C. Maciulewicz and Margaret G. (Preisinger) Maciulewicz.  She is survived by her three daughters,  Greta E. Maciulewicz, Stephanie (Evans) Beard and Angela M. Amatruda. She also leaves behind 7 Grandchildren,  Devin Lebrun, Sarah Beard, Emzi Beard, Jordan Lebrun, Thomas Maciulewicz, Louie Beard and Nicholas Amatruda.  Gretchen was also survived by siblings: George Maciulewicz, Georgina (Maciulewicz) Sachs, Suzanne (Bates) Maciulewicz, Sister in law, Stanly Sachs and Lawrence Punte, Brother in laws.  She was preceded in death by her closest sister Gloria E. (Maciulewicz) Punte in 2020.  She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and Friends.

Gretchen grew up in the Baltimore, Maryland area.  She was a graduate of Overlea High School class of 1967.  She worked in many different industries before settling into a government career at SSA.  There, she was also free to follow her love for clowns.  She created Rainbow the Clown who helped with school supply drives and other events and Dotty, who helped with the blood drives.  Rainbow even went to nursing homes to spread sunshine and smiles to the elderly.  Gretchen’s highlight as a clown was becoming friends with Emmitt Kelly Jr. and clowning around with him at events across the country.

Gretchen’s love for entertaining eventually lead to her owning her own restaurant in Overlea called Amer’s Café.  Everyone there was not seen as customers, but friends stopping by to have a bite to eat, like an extension of her family dinners.   Every holiday was celebrated there to it’s fullest, decorations and all.

Gretchen eventually left the area in 2017 when she moved to Jacksonville FL. where she was surrounded by family and friends.  She lived out the rest of her days doing what she enjoyed most: Thrifting, Crafting Sewing and making something from nothing.  She always said “ When you look at something,  See what it could be, not what it is”.  I’d like to think that’s the way she saw people as well.

There will be a small Celebration Of Life in Baltimore.  Feel free to contact the family at [email protected] .