Gretchen Crosby VanBenthuysen

Gretchen Crosby VanBenthuysen, born January 21, 1953, passed away on March 12, 2026. She is survived by her devoted husband, Geoffrey Larkin; her children, Crosby Carol Larkin and Conor James Larkin and his wife Lauren, along with their daughter Autumn; her stepdaughter Cari Larkin and her son Alex; her sisters-in-law Judith Larkin and Dr. Carolyn Taylor and her husband Dr. Kenneth Taylor and their son Rory; her nieces Brittany and Allyson and their families; and many cousins, especially Beverley Foster, her brother Allen, and his wife Roberta.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, to a career Air Force family, Gretchen spent much of her childhood in England and Germany, traveling extensively throughout Europe. A champion swimmer in both Europe and the United States as well as an avid cyclist, she attended more than ten schools while her father was stationed at various Air Bases. After her father’s retirement in New Jersey, she earned a BA from Rider College and a Master’s from Kean University. While at Rider, she interned at the Asbury Park Press and was hired as a reporter upon graduation. Over her thirty-eight-year career there, she served as editor of several sections and as the paper’s theater writer. She also contributed to Backstage and Variety in New York, wrote articles for WCBS radio, and maintained an internationally read blog called Theater Cues. After retiring from the Press, she continued writing human interest stories for the Two River Times.

Gretchen was an avid reader who never left home without a book. She was a talented gardener whose specimens won multiple blue ribbons at the Monmouth County Fair. A loving and dedicated mother, she proudly fulfilled her wish to be a member of the “Good Mommy’s Club,” serving, in her family’s eyes, as its president. She ensured both of her children saw more than ninety Broadway plays and countless others in New Jersey, and she spent many weekends patiently driving her son throughout the state as he practiced for his license. Known for her sharp, dry sense of humor, she remained the steadfast heart and soul of her family for thirty-six years of marriage.

She was predeceased by her father, CMS James VanBenthuysen, her mother Dorothy Crosby VanBenthuysen, her brother-in-law Blaine Larkin, and several dear cousins.