Obituary of Theresia Bittlingmayer

Theresia Bittlingmayer, “Resi”, 94, passed away on November 16th, 2017. 

 She was born Theresia Bieber on June 26, 1923 in Sekitsch, in the former Yugoslavia to David Bieber and Theresia Bensinger. The Second World War and its aftermath claimed the lives of her first husband, as well as her first child and parents. Along with other young women from Sekitsch, she was forced to work in a Soviet coal mine until 1949. Upon her release, she settled in Schriesheim, West Germany, where she married Jakob Bittlingmayer. In 1957, the couple and their first son George emigrated to the U.S., where their sons Richard and Helmut were born. In 1960 the family settled in Rye. She was a member at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck.

 Resi will be remembered for her dedication to her family, and for her ability to adapt and persevere in the face of life’s challenges. She was a master at combining the best elements of Balkan, German and American cuisine, and she always made sure that her family and guests ate well. In her mid-thirties, she learned English and how to swim, and she got her driver’s license at age forty-three. A two-mile walk through Rye Town Park and to the end of the Playland pier was a key part of her daily routine.

Theresia Bittlingmayer is survived by her three sons, grandsons Adam and Stefan, and her great-granddaughter Lilith. She was predeceased by her husband Jakob and grandson Eric.

Visitation will take place 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Tuesday, November 21, at the Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Road, Rye, with a Lutheran service at 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Theresia's family asks that you send a donation in her memory to St. John's Lutheran Church, 122 Fenimore Road, Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543."