Maria (Marie) Wittreich, 90

December 29, 2025

Maria (Marie) Wittreich died peacefully in her home on December 29th at the age of 90, with her devoted husband of sixty-seven years at her side. She was born on April 25, 1935, in Rieg, Gottschee, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), to Maria and Ludwig Tschopp. During World War II, Marie lived in Untersteiermark (Lower Styria), Yugoslavia, with her family. After spending seven years in Salzburg, Austria, she immigrated to the United States in 1952, settling in Ridgewood, Queens, NY, where she met her beloved husband, Robert Wittreich, at the Gottscheer Hall. They were married at St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood, NY, in 1958. Marie and Robert started a family, moving to Oakland, NJ, in 1967, then to Coventry, RI, in 1984, and finally settling in Lancaster, PA, in 2002.

Marie will always be remembered for her devotion to all generations of her family. She particularly loved the years when she was very involved with her grandchildren. When they were young, she spent countless hours playing games with them, reading books, and teaching them German songs and prayers. As her grandchildren became older, she remained interested and inquisitive in their lives as adults and stayed in very close touch.

Throughout the years, Marie and Robert loved spending time together, traveling, going to the opera, playing cards, and working outside in their garden. Marie was always busy with sewing, quilting, needlework, knitting, crocheting, cooking, and baking. Her family received many lovely gifts over the years that expressed her talents and creativity.

Marie was an active member in each Catholic parish in the communities where she lived, most recently at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lancaster. While residing in Oakland, NJ, she sang in the choir and was a member of the Altar Rosary Society at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Her Catholic faith remained an integral part of her life.

Marie is survived by her husband, Robert; her sons, Gerhard Wittreich (Donna) and Helmut Wittreich (Barbara), and her daughter, Karen Cook (George); her granddaughter, Kristin Wittreich; five grandsons, Brian Wittreich (Gennine), Alex Cook, Jason Cook, Christof Wittreich (Jolyne), and Markus Wittreich; and two great-grandsons, Francis and Thomas Wittreich. Marie was predeceased by her parents, her sister Emma, and her brother Ludwig.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Burial will follow privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s name to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.