She was of the earth, and the sky, and all the animals, and the flowers, and part of any human being who reached out to her kind and kindred spirit. And now, Gretchen Christina Hoffmayer Maser has released her mortal spirit and can be counted among the stars.

Gretchen was the "Martha Stewart of Lancaster", although she was always too humble to accept that title. She started a small business in her home making soaps and candles and pantry items, and turned it into a local, regional, and national enterprise. Along the way, her homemade jams were featured in Martha Stewart's "Living" magazine, her products were included in the SAG Awards swag bags, and she garnered many awards and accolades as her creative touch reached from coast to coast.

Born on July 22, 1960, in Rockledge, Pa, Gretchen was the daughter of Raymond and Gretchen Hoffmayer. She made her way to Lancaster, where she owned several successful businesses and made her biggest business mark with Christina Maser Company, which included her hand-crafted products for almost every room in the home, and beyond home. She reached thousands of people with not only her extraordinary products, but with her generous personality and strong spirit. She was a force of nature unlike any other – a fiercely loyal mother, wife, sister, grandmother, friend, neighbor, mentor, and business woman. You definitely wanted to be on Gretchen's side and felt more powerful just being connected to her.

Supporter of all things Lancaster, she was an entrepreneur, a proponent of women in business, a collaborator, and a visionary. Gretchen embraced a creative and artistic life in all she touched, from cooking and baking, to sewing, to gardening, to making pottery, and extending her talents to all of her business endeavors.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Maser, son Neil Maser, daughter-in-law Sarah Maser, daughter Nora Maser, and grandson Greyson.

She was predeceased by her son Gavin Maser and is survived by Gavin's daughters Kaydence and Irie.

She is also survived by her sister Lynda Hoffmayer Kimball, brother-in-law Henry Kimball, nephew Christopher Kimball and niece Allison Kimball.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to an animal rescue of your choice, the RASE Project of Lancaster, 131 E Orange St, Lancaster, PA 17602, RASE Project of Lancaster or Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, 625 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603 Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development or Clare House, 344 E. Chestnut St, Lancaster, PA 17602 – causes close to Gretchen's heart Clare House

Gretchen was exceedingly generous and selfless with her time and her resources. Gretchen took the needs of all people in all walks of life into her heart and responded with her characteristic generosity. Her kind and giving spirit will live on through the never-ending love of her family and friends, who will miss her deeply, forever.

Gretchen's family will receive friends from 3 to 4 pm, followed by the Celebration of her life at 4 pm on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584.