Dr. Gerda Mayer-Wittmann, of Old Greenwich, died on Friday, Nov. 6. She was 91 years old.
Gerda was born on Sept. 21, 1924 to Alma (Siemsen) Rotermund and Carl Rotermund in Bremen, Germany.
She married Karl Matthias Mayer-Wittmann on June 23, 1950. He survives Gerda. The Mayer-Wittmanns had five children—Diethild, Gerhard, Heide, Elke, and Norbert—who also survive her. In addition, Gerda he leaves Margaret, Pierre, and Joseph, the spouses of Gerhard, Heide, and Elke. Her twin sister, Edda, survives her in Hamburg, and her elder sister, Inge, lives in Bremen.
With 14 grandchildren and the Mayer-Wittmanns’ first great-grandchild born in August, Gerda’s devotion to family far outshined her significant scholastic achievement of Doctorate of Engineering with an emphasis on architecture. Prize awards let her buildings rise in Germany and the United States—buildings that will stand for many years to come.
Gerda’s favored element was all beauty that the eyes let in. Her many achievements included prizes in oil painting; she also had a knack for anything done by hand, such as sewing and home craft. She was devoted to her German heritage through the Singing Society, which she formed and led for 30 years. But her favorite “craft” was that of being a mother and wife. With her strong and creative mind, the norm was always challenged in search of efficiency, betterment, or creativity.
Gerda lived a full life of family, travel, art, music, and joy of the day. She will be missed by the many who adored her.
A memorial service took place on Sunday, Nov. 22, at First Congregational Church of Greenwich on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Paul’s Church of New York City (212) 929-1955; you may also contact the church by emailing Pastor@StPaulNY.org. To leave an online condolence, visit www.castiglionefh.com.
