Gretchen was a dear friend at the Two River Times of Red Bank, a valued lifelong journalist who could be counted on to turn out well-researched, polished stories about our community, theaters, gardens and more.

She brought distinction to our weekly paper when she won First Place for her portfolio of work in the Arts and Entertainment category for weekly papers at the New Jersey Press Association's 2018 awards. One of the stories highlighted by the judges was how theaters around the state were beginning to offer "relaxed performances" for people with autism, a trend she picked up on the beat reviewing theater.

Gretchen had a fabulous dry wit, and we loved to look back and laugh about our days as local news reporters. In the 1990s, we briefly worked together in the Middletown bureau of the Asbury Park Press, and knew some memorable characters. We both loved working "at the paper."

The last time I saw her in person she brought in some funny-looking heirloom tomatoes for us to taste, grown in her own garden. They fascinated us, and they were good, too! Gretchen could make anything interesting, even tomatoes.

- Christina Johnson

Former News Editor, Two River Times

Photo: 2018 New Jersey Press Association Awards, when Gretchen Van Benthuysen won First Place for Arts & Entertainment Writing, Weekly Division