- April 1, 2025
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Gretta was born to Joseph Busch and Margaret (Ford) Busch on Sept. 21,1923 in Harrison, Hudson County, N. J. The Busch family attended Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harrison.
Gretta was the second of their three children. Gretta attended school in Harrison and graduated from Queen of Peace High School. Gretta truly enjoyed theater and drama and singing from an early age. She attended evening classes for two years studying drama and vocal at Elsa Granger Productions.
At the age of 20, she enlisted in the U S Navy, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) on Jan. 6, 1944. After her initial training, Gretta was stationed at the U S Barracks, Washington D.C. and also at Submarine Base, New London, Conn. Gretta separated from service on Aug 1, 1945. She received her Honorable Discharge, earning her American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Later she would receive the State of New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.
While stationed at the Submarine Base, Gretta met Joseph (Woody) Woodward, U S N Warrant Officer. Gretta and Woody married on June 2, 1945 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harrison.
After their WWII Naval Service, Gretta and Woody settled in New Jersey where they would raise their five children: Joseph 3/11/46, Thomas 12/23/48, Paul 2/8/51, Mary Elizabeth 1/13/58 and Margaret Ellen 8/24/61. They attended and were active in St. Magdalen’s Catholic Church and in the Flemington community.
Gretta and Woody moved from Flemington, N.J. to Charleston, S.C. and lived there for about three years. While in Charleston Gretta continued in community theater groups and performed with the Footlights Players at the Dock Street Theater.
They moved a second time to Florida and resided in Beverly Beach. They attended and were actively involved in Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church, where for years Gretta was the church secretary. Gretta continued acting in theater performances in Flagler. Shortly after Woody’s death in 1991, Gretta moved to 3rd Street North in Flagler Beach. Gretta enjoyed taking cruises and traveling with friends and family.
Gretta met F. Albert (Al) Smith, (an Army Air Corps WWII veteran) also a parishioner at Santa Maria Del Mar. Gretta was a regular at the church bingo games and Al, being a member of the Men’s Club, would help prepare food for those attending the games. Gretta and Al, both age 83, married on Nov. 11, 2006, at Santa Maria Del Mar, and resided in Palm Coast. They always treasured visits from their children, grandchildren and family. Gretta was featured as the Veteran of the Week on Sept 21, 2023 (on her 100th birthday) in the Palm Coast Observer.
Gretta is preceded in death by her parents, brother Joseph Busch, sister Marie (Ree) McKnight, husband Joseph Woodward, son Joseph Woodward, grandson Paul Woodward and great-granddaughter Kourtney McKenzie Garcia and Al’s daughter Barbara.
Gretta is survived by her husband of 18 years, Al Smith, son Thomas (Jeanne) Woodward, son Paul (Dalia) Woodward, daughter Beth (Mike) Blackwell, daughter Meg (Steve) Kraft, daughter-in-law Midge Franco and 13 grandchildren (Tracy, Peg, Joseph, Jacob, Diane, T. W., David, Vanessa, Nathanael, Benjamin, Julianna, Kayla, and Stephen) and 15 ( mine, yours & ours) great-grandchildren. Also, Al’s son David Smith (& wife) and daughter Diane Nameth (& husband) and their children, 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Gretta, the good and faithful servant of her Lord, is now resting in His Heavenly Peace. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic
Church in Flagler Beach. The date for Gretta’s Mass will be chosen and announced in the near future. In fulfilling Gretta’s desire, the family will have her interred in the Veteran’s National Cemetery Jacksonville, Florida.
Gretta’s children wish to express their heartfelt thanks for the loving care given to Mom from Judith Fermin-Ostrin and her dedicated staff of Good Sam’s Assisted Living Residence and to the Nurses and CNA’s of Halifax Health Hospice.
Gretta’s family have entrusted arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations of Palm Coast, FL. Condolences may be left at clymerfuneralhome.com
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