Anita R. G. Dech, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Keystone Villa in Douglassville, PA. Born in Potsdam, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Hedwig Egerer and Ernst Egerer. At 19, she initially immigrated alone from Germany to Canada first, before arriving to the United States with her husband Frank in 1968. One of her favorite family stories was how she proposed to Frank on a leap year, and thus keeping a humorous German tradition alive, where women were encouraged to propose to their man. They shared 57 memorable married years together before his passing in 2017.
Anita and Frank founded and operated Hopewell Nursery for 40 years before retiring in 2013. In the winter months, they liked to spend their time in Florida and in late summer, they could be found traveling by car exploring the United States & Canada. Like Frank, Anita was an avid angler and was quite skilled at fly fishing. Anita had many talents & enjoyments, and as a young girl, was adept at geography, which fueled her love of travel.
At home and in their garden center, Anita took great pride in caring for all the greenhouses, making sure they were well maintained and that the flowers, hanging baskets, & containers were beautiful and vigorous. She spent many hours mowing her lawn and creating gorgeous colorful gardens throughout their property.
Anita loved spending time with her friends and could be found taking long walks through her beloved Daniel Boone Homestead. Most of all, she loved spending quality time with her family, which over the course of many years included several adopted Golden Retrievers.
Surviving is one son, Andy Dech, companion of Tracey Maurer; one daughter, Monica Dech, companion of Frederick Prutzman; grandchildren Brandon Dech, Hannah Becker, and Emily Keller, wife of Dalton Keller and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Julian Keller. Aside from her family & friends in the states, she is survived by one sister, Ingrid Wackersreuther of Rosstal, Germany along with friends and family in both Canada and Germany. She was predeceased by sister Renate Thater.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anita’s name to the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, Reinholds, PA. More information can be found at www.dvgrr.org