The Guilford ABC community was saddened to learn of the passing of Gretchen Milem MacKenzie on March 31, 2026. She was one of the founders of Guilford ABC and Hole in the Wall Consignment and Thrift Shop.
Gretchen was also the beloved host mother of Valerie Price Cornelious (GHS 1978), one of the first GABC scholars to come to Guilford in 1974. Valerie and several other alumnae remained close to Gretchen throughout the decades.
Valerie had said of Gretchen shortly before learning of her passing: “It’s been over 50 years since I came to the program and met Gretchen. We’ve stayed in contact all this time. She’s been a stalwart in the program and a wonderful host parent to me and to other scholars over the years.” t
IN MEMORIAM Gretchen Milem MacKenzie
