Gretchen E. Behl

Hampton - Gretchen E. Behl, 77, of Hampton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Gretchen grew up on Long Island, NY and earned her Bachelors Degree from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. She earned a Masters Degree in German from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters Degree in Library Science in Albany NY. Gretchen worked for a time as a school librarian in New York State and had NYS teacher certification. In later years, she worked as a substitute teacher and library assistant. In 1986, Gretchen moved to her beloved Catskill Mountains of New York where she operated the Bed and Breakfast "Haus Elissa" in West Shokan, NY. She enjoyed meeting the many travelers who stayed with her and feeding them her delightful baked goods. Gretchen spent many joyful hours exploring the trails of "The Peekamoose", watching birds and identifying them by their calls, and taking in the beauty of NY's Catskills and Hudson Valley. In 2010, she decided to spend her retirement years in Hampton, NH - another area close to her heart- where she explored the many beautiful sights along the coast, discovered genealogical connections to the local area, and visited "Petey's" for local seafood. Gretchen was a well- read, well-traveled, well-educated, articulate, and enthusiastic person who lived a simple yet interesting, diverse life. She had a friendly and engaging spirit that would draw people in, and she seemed to make friends wherever she went. She was also a wonderful neighbor to many. Some of her favorite travel memories included a trip to Austria where she spent her Junior year of college as well as several summer trips to Nova Scotia. Gretchen enjoyed reading, books, trains, and artwork from Hudson River School artist Thomas Cole and artist Melissa Harris. Gretchen was a devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen. She enjoyed coordinating her wardrobe with whimsical details. Gretchen was especially fond of Washington Irving, whose books inspired the names of her beloved departed cats: Rip Van Winkle, Imp, and Katrina. Gretchen leaves behind many dear friends- far and wide - who will miss her greatly and are eternally grateful for the positive, enriching impact she had on their lives. All services will be private.

Gretchen E. Behl

December 18, 1947 - December 2, 2025