A Memorial Get Together was held at the Dye House, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem Oregon, on Sunday, June 2. It was a gathering of many wonderful folks; family, friends, former co-workers and others that celebrated her amazing life.
This website was created by family and friends of Heidemarie. Her passing is a huge loss for so many people, because she touched all of us with her warmth, and caring ways. But maybe most of all, her love of life and the people in it.
Please share some thoughts and stories about her. And come back to the site in the future so as not to forget her.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI, like Mary, often find myself wondering what you would have done in a situation that comes up. I find myself trying to channel you when trying to get a point of advice to my kids. (They listened when you talked).
But I mostly miss you for your fun self. I can still sometimes hear you laughing.
I often fondly remember my times with you. In my everyday life, I regularly wonder how you would handle certain situations I encounter. I always conclude that you would handle any given situation with humor and grace, with the possible exception of times when I find myself whining about something. You never found yourself in those situations because you weren't a complainer. (Unless it was in the form of a complaint letter or phone call to a business that did you wrong, of course. You handled those with great aplomb.)
Richard is taking good care of himself, just as he took care of you. And as we all get older, we try to make sure we all have help when we need it, just as you always were there for us.
I miss you and love you, Heide.
We all miss your laugh, your wicked, irreverent sense of humor, and your sense of adventure. I have said this before, but I really wish I had been able to spend more time with you.
Irene
I miss our Friday evening phone chats. Lots of laughing and catching up. I wish I had spent more time with her. Such a generous personality.
I miss my sister a lot. Love and cherish all your friends and family in this world as long as you have them. Peace and health to all.
Some things haven't changed. We all still love you and miss you.
On the way back I took a few hikes in the Sierras. I left a bit of you in a few nice locations. I hope you are content with that.
Oh, and I sold your house to people that I hope can keep your yard up better than I was doing. I kept one of your prize Dahlias though which so far seems to be doing well. We all still miss you terribly dear.
In social gatherings Marie and Richard would look at each other with a look of "what is funny?". Ok so the wine helped a bit!!! But Heide and I understood each other and had that German humor, which many people didn't know existed. It worked for us and we entertained each other. We think of her often. She was considerate to all, projected a strong personality and thus made things happen. Her energy even late in her life was amazing. I don't have it but simply thinking of her strength in those final days encourages me. Great role model Heide!!
so many good memories.
Barbara
I will honor her memory by trying to whine less and instead follow her example. "Life can be so sweet on the sunny side of the street."
Your spirit and your zest for life lives on in the memory of your friends.
Love, Walter and Irene
Neil and I will always miss you and your joyful outlook on life. You were just naturally a fun person to be around. A bright light left us when we said goodby to you.
Ich schreibe diese email von Deutschland - unser Heimatland. Wir denken auf dich und vermissen dich Jeden Tag.
Der Ralf hat uns Bilder geschickt, von Papa und die erste Frau und Willi und Marianne , wo sie noch jung waren! Es ist schade das wir noch nie diese Bilder gesehen haben. Es ist doch egal dass ich dass auf Deutsch oder Englisch schreibe. Dieses ist fuer dich.
Dear Heide,
I am writing this von Deutschland - our homeland, and we think of you and miss you everyday.
As we are hiking in the Alps we reflect on the good memories we have of you and Richard hiking with us. Of Richard drinking water even though the sign said "Kein Trinkwasser" i.e. Do not drink this water. In Italy where we had the best "Linzer Tort" since our childhood days. Going swimming in the Heidelberg "Schwimbad" , when we were kids, where I almost drowned because a kid pushed me into the deep section of the pool. You tried to save me, but hell you couldn't swim either. Of course no lifeguards were present to pull us out of the water. That's the way it was, and is still today.
Going swimming in the Neckar River, where we changed into our bathing suits, out in the open at the edge of the river, just like the other Germans! No shame because "that's the way it was done"!!
When we heard the cry " die Zigeuner sind hier" (the gypsies are here), and everybody in the apartment building double locked their doors. Where our "mutti" had her fortune told, that we will move to America, which we eventually did!!!!!!!
Ralf sent us some pictures of our father with his first wife and Willi our half brother (who was lucky to escape from East Germany) and Marianne , our half sister , who we met only once because she was "trapped" in East Germany.
We are not physically at your memorial service, but we will be with you in thought.
Rest In Peace, Wolfgang und Marie
I have not known what to say here so have put it off and put it off. I can hear your voice now telling me, "if you're going to do something, you might as well jump in and do it!" (kind of like the Polar Plunge).
The fact is, you were just too big a presence and influence on me to feel like I can put it into just a few words.
We are going to miss the hell out of you Sunday. You played such a large part in getting us all together over the years. I am sure we will feel your presence and hear your laughter. I can see you smiling now, your eyes sparking with life and mischief. I will always remember you this way.
Thanks to all for the great photos on this site. Richard, you have some talent as a photographer. I think you really can give up your day job.
Consuelo
It is difficult for me to acknowledge that she is gone. I had no idea that January the 4th would be the last time I talked with her.
She has left a huge hole in our life.
Others have already posted some comments that Heide was just a good person. She was honest, considerate, caring, determined and full of life. She accepted her illness with strength and vigor. She only slowed down toward the end, but she never complained- she dealt with her issue stoically.
Of course in our youth we had some "disagreements" about "whatever" was "important" in those early years. When we sold out mom's house Heide's "footprint" was still embedded in my bedroom door. She intended to kick me, but I slammed the door just as her foot hit it (and not me). We tried to fix the hole with filler and that darkened patch was still there when we sold the house 50 years after the event!!!
We miss you terribly, my dearest Heide. But what a life well lived! Brava! Well done. You have left us all with such wonderful memories.
We had such a number of amazing experiences including paddling down rivers, gathering to celebrate special Holidays, pulling weeds in the garden and knowing when to stop for a glass of wine.
The joy of being engrossed in conversations full of laughter, wisdom and integrity.
I had the privilege of sharing a birth date with Heide, making our birthday that much more significant. Of course, as a Capricorn, maybe she had the privilege of sharing the date with me too.
She always reminded us to stay grounded, not over extend ourselves and find humor along with beauty in everything.
We will miss her quick wit and jovial stories of the many mishaps along the bumpy road of life.
Heide will always be in our hearts and will continue to live in our memories as we raise our glasses to a beautiful soul.
Love always - Jon, Shaanette and McKenna
We will carry your passion, humor and kindness.
Thank you for loving us.
Tom Kammerer
Al Jr
Heide was the most honest person I've known (no need to guess what she was thinking). That honesty was matched by her interest and caring for the people she loved and who loved her. I will miss Heide a great deal but I will continue to share those important moments with her.
I will miss her unique personality and generous heart. Rest in peace dear, old friend.
5 or 6 in the morning while she was in the hot tub.
Leave a Tribute
I, like Mary, often find myself wondering what you would have done in a situation that comes up. I find myself trying to channel you when trying to get a point of advice to my kids. (They listened when you talked).
But I mostly miss you for your fun self. I can still sometimes hear you laughing.
Love,
Do
Love of Life
(This isn't a story but I couldn't figure out how to comment without putting it in this box.)
Barbara