Obituary of Gretchen Marie Cutts

Gretchen Marie Cutts, resident of Colorado Springs, died November 6, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 84.She was born September 11, 1935 to Silvia and Armien Schwager in Waukesha, WisconsinGretchen S. Cutts was one of the finest people you could ever know. She was honest, kind and had an infectious love of learning. Her values were clear to anyone after a few minutes of conversation.�She showed her love of learning by pursuing education throughout her life as both a student and a teacher. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and decades later attained a Masters degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing. She studied photography and decades later taught herself to play Native American flute. She taught constantly, sometimes professionally and sometimes to a lucky passerby on a trail.���She had extreme integrity and very few biases - except perhaps for those who were biased themselves. She would courageously speak out if she heard something that was not right. Gretchen loved all good people of any persuasion. And she was never late for an appointment, not once in her 84 years :-).���Gretchen had a strong passion for nature. Anything pertaining to the environment, especially bird habitat and ecology, she cherished. She devoured and shared information about ecosystems and put what she learned to work as a volunteer for causes or candidates she believed in. No project was too difficult or too much of longshot. If it needed doing, she did it. She was a member of Audubon Society, especially Rowe Sanctuary, and Unitarian Universalists.This poem, "Love of the World" by Charlotte Tall Mountain, describes the person she tried to be, especially during her politically and environmentally active decades:For the love of a tree, she went out on a limb.For the love of the sea, she rocked the boat.For the love of the earth, she dug deeper.For the love of community, she mended fences.For the love of the stars, she let her light shine.For the love of spirit, she nurtured her soul.For the love of a good time, she sowed seeds of happiness.For the love of God, she drew down the moon.For the love of nature, she made compost.For the love of a good meal, she gave thanks.For the love of family, she reconciled differences.For the love of creativity, she entertained new possibilities.For the love of her enemies, she suspended judgment.For the love of herself, she acknowledged her own worth.And the world was richer for her. (Charlotte Tall Mountain, 1941-2006)Gretchen was our dear wife, family, friend and mother. Her wisdom, personality, humor and life-force will be missed immensely.Gretchen is survived by her immediate family - husband, Bill; sons, Jim of Reston, Virginia and Dan of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her siblings, Fred, Paul and Judy; as well as many dear, lifelong friends. Gretchen was blessed with four amazing grandchildren and truly cherished them.Her surviving family will hold two ceremonies celebrating her life: The first is at 2:00PM, Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Inn at Garden Plaza Chapel, 2520 International Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. This will be mainly for her friends and fellow residents there. Following this, her family is planning to have a larger celebration of Gretchen's life in January 2020. More details for this will be forthcoming and will be shared by email, social media, and on this page.In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to one of Gretchen's greatest passions, the Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, Nebraska 68840. (rowe.audubon.org). She and Bill spent a lot of time there and helped protect and improve this unique Sandhill Crane habitat for future generations to enjoy. Crane viewing in early spring should be on your bucket list. Events Celebration of Life Monday, November 18, 2019 2:00PM The Inn at Garden Plaza 2520 International Circle Colorado Springs, CO 80910 Phone: 719-328-1793