Gretchen Christine Sames Ahmad

Gretchen Christine Sames Ahmad lived her years fully, and full of love. The third of four daughters to the late Susan and Michael Sames, Gretchen was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 24, 1969. The Sames family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1981, and Gretchen was a graduate of Millbrook High School (‘88). She used her brilliant mind for computers and technological savvy to serve her customers as a Senior Technical Engineer at FujiFilm Medical Systems. However, Gretchen knew life was not meant to be all work and no play.

In March 2020, Gretchen traveled with several family members to obtain her Luxembourg citizenship; a dream years in the making (that even a pandemic couldn’t stop!). She had a heart for service to others that was carried out through her mission work and community groups at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, including a transformative experience on a mission trip to Haiti. Gretchen recently celebrated her 50th birthday in Hawaii, and used her exceptional quilting skills to create memory quilts from the trip; a physical reminder of a cherished celebration.

A patient listener and fierce advocate, Gretchen bestowed her independent nature upon her two bright, beautiful daughters, Alex (Ryan) and Amala. The enduring love she has for her girls will survive on through her loyal sisters, Stephanie (Sam), Heather, Jennifer (Marty). Gretchen adored and treasured her nieces Melissa, Riley, Laney, and her nephew, Carson. She will be deeply missed by her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gretchen’s beautiful smile and kind heart made her a friend to many; most of all, to her lifelong best friend, Diane Hancock (Fran).

With family by her side, Gretchen departed her earthly life on May 19, 2021. If love alone could have kept Gretchen alive, she would have had many more years of travelling, quilting, being in service to others, and soaking up every moment alongside her family and friends.

Visitation is Friday May 21, 2021 at Brown Wynne Funeral Home at 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27605 from 6-8 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday May 22, 2021, at 1pm at Edenton Street United Methodist Church 228 W Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Interment will follow after the service with her immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in her memory to:

Duke Cancer Institute https://bit.ly/3ftuYxn

Edenton Street United Methodist Church – Doorstep Ministry https://bit.ly/342wW28

Higher Education Fund for Alex and Amala https://bit.ly/2QvKakY