FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Ernestine Heinrich |
| August 7, 1938 - April 29, 2024 |
|
|
|
Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Friday, May 3, 2024, 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Wetzel and Son, RockledgeFuneral Mass - Friday, May 3, 2024, 12:00 PM at St. Cecilia Church, Philadelphia Entombment - Friday, May 3, 2024, 1:15 PM at Lawnview Cemetery, Rockledge |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Cecilia Church - 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-725-1240 - Map |
| Cemetery - Lawnview Cemetery - 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-379-1600 - Map |
| Family Florist - Sally’s Flowers - 7950 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-722-4500 - Map |
| Donation - Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research - Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 - 212-509-0995 - Map |
The following obituary was composed by Ernestine’s family:
Ernestine Heinrich was born on August 7, 1938 in Althütte, a small village in Germany bordering the Bayrischer Wald. It is a beautiful village surrounded by dark forest all around. Her immediate family included parents Erna and Johann Schrönghammer and her older brother Norbert. At the age of four, she lost her father to war and was raised by her mother alone during those difficult times. They lived on a farm, had to be self-sufficient so there was much work to do. She attended primary school and played the zither as a young girl.
At the age of 18, curious about the world, she set off to America by ocean-liner and taken in by her paternal Onkle Norbert and Tante Barbara in Philadelphia and found work as a housekeeper in a large estate on the Main Line. To leave her homeland was not meant to be forever, but she met the love of her life Horst (Herb) and they married. In 1961, newly married, they embarked on a return trip to Germany so Erna, Norbert and his wife Anni along with their first baby daughter Anita, could meet her new husband. It was a joyful reunion.
Back home in the US, they were blessed with two children, a boy and a girl, Richard Johann and Michelle Ann. They lived in a rowhouse in Juniata, Philadelphia while Herb worked for Pennsylvania Railroad. Ernestine became entrenched in American life as a full time mother and wife, so much so that she strove to speak only English. Meanwhile back in Germany, Norbert had another daughter Margarete. When Rick and Michelle were young, her mother Erna made the trip to America to meet her grandchildren.
During Ernestine’s time in Philadelphia, she built a wonderful community of close family friends; the Staehlys, Kranzes, Usenskis, and Checcias and enjoyed many good times. As the children grew and went their separate ways, the parents remained friends until the very end, Ernestine was the last.
As Herb’s parents’ health declined, the family moved to Fox Chase and Ernestine cared for them until they passed. It was there Ernestine began to enjoy her love of birds and their daily visits to the bird bath in the larger yard. When the property became too much to handle, Herb sold that house and they relocated to their last home.
In 1979, Ernestine received the devastating news that her mother Erna had passed. The Heinrich family made the trip to Germany for the funeral. While it was a blessing to join the families together, it was bittersweet without her beloved mother.
When the children were older, Ernestine found employment at Evaporated Coatings, placing specialized coatings on lenses and specialty glass items. She made many friends there and dedicated 10 years until she retired.
In 1995, Rick married Maria, and had 3 beautiful children; Alexander, Erika, and Kimberly. The grandchildren became the focus of her life. She loved them dearly and was happiest when they were around. Herb and Ernestine enjoyed watching them grow. They celebrated their birthdays and achievements together with delicious food and her fabled black forest cake.
When her husband got Alzheimer’s, life became difficult. She was devoted and cared for him right up to the end. She lost Herb in 2010 after 49 years of marriage. While this loss weighed heavy, her love for grandchildren kept her going. Shortly after, she received a breast cancer diagnosis with surgery and then a Parkinson's diagnosis, but in true form, she overcame this as she did any and all challenges with the help of her children, Michelle and Rick.
She was most happy in 2013 when she had the opportunity to introduce her grandchildren to all the family in Germany. The entire family made the trip, coinciding with Anni and Erika’s shared birthday. It was a wonderful once in a lifetime family reunion.
When Michelle met Don, Ernestine began to enjoy German culture again, listening to his accordion music and meeting new friends at gatherings. At these gatherings, Ernestine met James who became a special friend and they enjoyed each other’s company. As the pandemic hit, she greatly appreciated Don’s accordion playing German folk songs from the sidewalk.
While Ernestine never wanted to be a bother to anyone, when Michelle retired and Ernestine stopped driving, she was relieved Michelle was available to run errands together.
Ernestine’s gentle nature made everyone who met her enjoy the little things in life. She took it slow and smelled the roses, enjoyed a glass of wine and a beautiful crafted German meal. Nature was part of her everyday life whether feeding the birds in her back yard or letting cats come and visit on her porch.
Ernestine had a special sentiment for children. She was the most loving Grandma anyone could wish for, always showing through her words and actions how much she loves them. Her three grandchildren were very fortunate and will never forget their afternoons at Grandma’s house every Sunday, filled with dinner, cookies, and the sprinkle of love the makes everything taste better while enjoying her beautiful tenderness.
Ernestine was born to be a Mom. Her two children Rick and Michelle were her world even as they grew older. She was their rock and the steady loving presence from above; no matter what she was always there in her home in Philadelphia. They knew no matter what life will bring, “Mom was always there”. Michelle is a wonderful daughter, always attentive and making sure Mom was entertained and well cared for. Rick brought her flowers and the most precious gift to her, his own family. We wish to follow her example and be the ever loving parent that she was.
In our hearts, we are the lucky ones who enjoyed her company and will forever have memories of her kindness and compassion. She will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. at Wetzel and Son Funeral Home, 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046. Her Funeral Mass took place at 12:00 P.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Her entombment followed at Lawnview Cemetery, 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
Ernestine Heinrich was born on August 7, 1938 in Althütte, a small village in Germany bordering the Bayrischer Wald. It is a beautiful village surrounded by dark forest all around. Her immediate family included parents Erna and Johann Schrönghammer and her older brother Norbert. At the age of four, she lost her father to war and was raised by her mother alone during those difficult times. They lived on a farm, had to be self-sufficient so there was much work to do. She attended primary school and played the zither as a young girl.
At the age of 18, curious about the world, she set off to America by ocean-liner and taken in by her paternal Onkle Norbert and Tante Barbara in Philadelphia and found work as a housekeeper in a large estate on the Main Line. To leave her homeland was not meant to be forever, but she met the love of her life Horst (Herb) and they married. In 1961, newly married, they embarked on a return trip to Germany so Erna, Norbert and his wife Anni along with their first baby daughter Anita, could meet her new husband. It was a joyful reunion.
Back home in the US, they were blessed with two children, a boy and a girl, Richard Johann and Michelle Ann. They lived in a rowhouse in Juniata, Philadelphia while Herb worked for Pennsylvania Railroad. Ernestine became entrenched in American life as a full time mother and wife, so much so that she strove to speak only English. Meanwhile back in Germany, Norbert had another daughter Margarete. When Rick and Michelle were young, her mother Erna made the trip to America to meet her grandchildren.
During Ernestine’s time in Philadelphia, she built a wonderful community of close family friends; the Staehlys, Kranzes, Usenskis, and Checcias and enjoyed many good times. As the children grew and went their separate ways, the parents remained friends until the very end, Ernestine was the last.
As Herb’s parents’ health declined, the family moved to Fox Chase and Ernestine cared for them until they passed. It was there Ernestine began to enjoy her love of birds and their daily visits to the bird bath in the larger yard. When the property became too much to handle, Herb sold that house and they relocated to their last home.
In 1979, Ernestine received the devastating news that her mother Erna had passed. The Heinrich family made the trip to Germany for the funeral. While it was a blessing to join the families together, it was bittersweet without her beloved mother.
When the children were older, Ernestine found employment at Evaporated Coatings, placing specialized coatings on lenses and specialty glass items. She made many friends there and dedicated 10 years until she retired.
In 1995, Rick married Maria, and had 3 beautiful children; Alexander, Erika, and Kimberly. The grandchildren became the focus of her life. She loved them dearly and was happiest when they were around. Herb and Ernestine enjoyed watching them grow. They celebrated their birthdays and achievements together with delicious food and her fabled black forest cake.
When her husband got Alzheimer’s, life became difficult. She was devoted and cared for him right up to the end. She lost Herb in 2010 after 49 years of marriage. While this loss weighed heavy, her love for grandchildren kept her going. Shortly after, she received a breast cancer diagnosis with surgery and then a Parkinson's diagnosis, but in true form, she overcame this as she did any and all challenges with the help of her children, Michelle and Rick.
She was most happy in 2013 when she had the opportunity to introduce her grandchildren to all the family in Germany. The entire family made the trip, coinciding with Anni and Erika’s shared birthday. It was a wonderful once in a lifetime family reunion.
When Michelle met Don, Ernestine began to enjoy German culture again, listening to his accordion music and meeting new friends at gatherings. At these gatherings, Ernestine met James who became a special friend and they enjoyed each other’s company. As the pandemic hit, she greatly appreciated Don’s accordion playing German folk songs from the sidewalk.
While Ernestine never wanted to be a bother to anyone, when Michelle retired and Ernestine stopped driving, she was relieved Michelle was available to run errands together.
Ernestine’s gentle nature made everyone who met her enjoy the little things in life. She took it slow and smelled the roses, enjoyed a glass of wine and a beautiful crafted German meal. Nature was part of her everyday life whether feeding the birds in her back yard or letting cats come and visit on her porch.
Ernestine had a special sentiment for children. She was the most loving Grandma anyone could wish for, always showing through her words and actions how much she loves them. Her three grandchildren were very fortunate and will never forget their afternoons at Grandma’s house every Sunday, filled with dinner, cookies, and the sprinkle of love the makes everything taste better while enjoying her beautiful tenderness.
Ernestine was born to be a Mom. Her two children Rick and Michelle were her world even as they grew older. She was their rock and the steady loving presence from above; no matter what she was always there in her home in Philadelphia. They knew no matter what life will bring, “Mom was always there”. Michelle is a wonderful daughter, always attentive and making sure Mom was entertained and well cared for. Rick brought her flowers and the most precious gift to her, his own family. We wish to follow her example and be the ever loving parent that she was.
In our hearts, we are the lucky ones who enjoyed her company and will forever have memories of her kindness and compassion. She will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. at Wetzel and Son Funeral Home, 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046. Her Funeral Mass took place at 12:00 P.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Her entombment followed at Lawnview Cemetery, 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
Copyright Wetzel and Son, Inc. All Rights Reserved.