By Wilda Hayes
Ann’s Place joins our communities in Connecticut and beyond in paying tribute to a life well lived.
Marian Kretsch left us on March 1, 2018. A 29-year resident of Southbury, and formerly a 33-year resident of Newtown, Marian was born in Vienna, Austria, in April 1920. She immigrated to America in 1940, two years after escaping the brutal Nazi regime with her family. Marian personified courage and overcame many odds in her lifetime, yet always stayed adventurous, relevant, and current. You can read more about the beautiful life and family Marian built here.
Marian was a keen supporter of Ann’s Place, among many favorite charities. Her tribute to the courage of cancer survivors will live on in the Marian and Hans Kretsch Meditation Gardens on our grounds, for which she provided the initial funding. Today her vision of a peaceful garden area for reflection from the stresses of cancer has been developed by volunteer horticulturist Erik Keller and is being maintained by individual and corporate volunteer labor and voluntary contributions for materials and equipment.
We send deepest condolences to Marian’s sister Lilli, sons Tom (Sandi) and Martin (Judy), four granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. The Kretsch family has designated Ann’s Place for memorial contributions which will help further Marian’s vision of providing solace and peace to those on the cancer journey. To make a memorial donation, please click here.