Adamson, Gretchen Davidson
Gretchen Adamson passed away on August 2, 2002, at home. She had been recovering from the effects of a stroke, when cancer was diagnosed. Her family was present. Gretchen and her twin sister, Harriet, were born in Chicago, within sound of the lions of the Lincoln Park Zoo. After their mother died when the twins were six, they were raised by their grandparents. Gretchen graduated from Evanston Township High School and attended Northwestern University. As teenagers, the twins went to New York to be on the stage. They lived at the Rehearsal Club, a chaperoned residence for young actresses. Under her maiden name, Gretchen Davidson, Gretchen appeared in many Broadway and national touring company shows, including "The Return of the Vagabond" with George M. Cohan, "The American Way" with Frederic March and Florence Eldridge, "My Sister Eileen," and revivals of "Showboat," with Helen Morgan and "Blossom Time." She also was part of many radio productions including some with the Mercury Theatre of the Air, and several continuing radio dramas. More recently, she appeared in television commercials. Gretchen married Richard K. Amerson of Detroit and they had one child, Andrew. After that marriage ended in 1948, she married Harold Adamson, the five-time Oscar-nominated lyricist who wrote such songs as "Around the World," "Everything I Have is Yours." "An Affair to Remember," "Coming in on a Wing and Prayer" and the theme from the TV show "I Love Lucy." After Harold Adamson's death in 1980, Gretchen returned to acting and administered Harold Adamson's music catalogue. In 1990, she was Executive Producer of a review based on the songs of Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh called "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." She was active in both ASCAP and the Songwriters Guild of America, serving as the Songwriters' Guild's west coast Secretary and a member of its Board of Directors. Gretchen led the creation of a booklet for the families of songwriters, detailing industry terms and the families' rights. She was also active in other songwriters' organizations. Gretchen was a member of the Clan Davidson and Clan Chattan Associations. In recent years Gretchen traveled extensively, including trips to China (four times), other parts of East Asia, Australia, the USSR, Israel, the United Kingdom and Europe. Gretchen Adamson is survived by her son, Andrew, and daughter-in-law Susan; her grandson David and granddaughter-in-law, Shannon; her step-daughter, Eve, and her longtime friend, Mackie Nash. A memorial service is scheduled for September 5, 2002 at 3:00 o'clock at All Saints Episcopal Church, 504 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Songwriters' Guild Foundation (attn. Lewis Bachman) 1500 Harbor Bl. Weehauken, NJ 07086 or the Assistance League of So. California, Family Service Auxiliary 1370 N. St. Andrews Pl. L.A. CA 90028.

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Published in Los Angeles Times on Aug. 7, 2002.

Adamson, Gretchen Davidson
Gretchen Adamson passed away on August 2, 2002, at home. She had been recovering from the effects of a stroke, when cancer was diagnosed. Her family was present. Gretchen and her twin sister, Harriet, were born in Chicago, within sound of the lions of the Lincoln Park Zoo. After their mother died when the twins were six, they were raised by their grandparents. Gretchen graduated from Evanston Township High School and attended Northwestern University. As teenagers, the twins went to New York to be on the stage. They lived at the Rehearsal Club, a chaperoned residence for young actresses. Under her maiden name, Gretchen Davidson, Gretchen appeared in many Broadway and national touring company shows, including "The Return of the Vagabond" with George M. Cohan, "The American Way" with Frederic March and Florence Eldridge, "My Sister Eileen," and revivals of "Showboat," with Helen Morgan and "Blossom Time." She also was part of many radio productions including some with the Mercury Theatre of the Air, and several continuing radio dramas. More recently, she appeared in television commercials. Gretchen married Richard K. Amerson of Detroit and they had one child, Andrew. After that marriage ended in 1948, she married Harold Adamson, the five-time Oscar-nominated lyricist who wrote such songs as "Around the World," "Everything I Have is Yours." "An Affair to Remember," "Coming in on a Wing and Prayer" and the theme from the TV show "I Love Lucy." After Harold Adamson's death in 1980, Gretchen returned to acting and administered Harold Adamson's music catalogue. In 1990, she was Executive Producer of a review based on the songs of Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh called "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." She was active in both ASCAP and the Songwriters Guild of America, serving as the Songwriters' Guild's west coast Secretary and a member of its Board of Directors. Gretchen led the creation of a booklet for the families of songwriters, detailing industry terms and the families' rights. She was also active in other songwriters' organizations. Gretchen was a member of the Clan Davidson and Clan Chattan Associations. In recent years Gretchen traveled extensively, including trips to China (four times), other parts of East Asia, Australia, the USSR, Israel, the United Kingdom and Europe. Gretchen Adamson is survived by her son, Andrew, and daughter-in-law Susan; her grandson David and granddaughter-in-law, Shannon; her step-daughter, Eve, and her longtime friend, Mackie Nash. A memorial service is scheduled for September 5, 2002 at 3:00 o'clock at All Saints Episcopal Church, 504 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Songwriters' Guild Foundation (attn. Lewis Bachman) 1500 Harbor Bl. Weehauken, NJ 07086 or the Assistance League of So. California, Family Service Auxiliary 1370 N. St. Andrews Pl. L.A. CA 90028.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Los Angeles Times on Aug. 7, 2002.