Brigitte J. Di Memmo
Brigitte J. Di Memmo, 80, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away April 3, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio, from health complications while awaiting a fourth open heart surgery to replace her artificial heart valves.
Brigitte was born on March 6, 1940, in Seifhennersdorf, Germany to the late Heinrich and Elsa Schneider Jährig.
She was preceded in death by her six elder siblings, Irmi (Joe) Stiegler, Heinz (Ursula) Jährig, Ilse (Martin) Kastner, Otfrid (Fini) Jährig, Rita Jährig, and Irmtraut (Nick) Wasylina.
Survivors include her devoted husband of 58 years, Frank Di Memmo; daughters Sonia (Steve) Wrate of McDonald, Tn. and Carrie (Roger Hammond) Di Memmo of Ooltewah; and four grandchildren: Kristiana (Ian) Carney, Jennifer (Tony) Thao, Francesca Di Memmo, and Nico Di Memmo. Brigitte is also survived by a large extended family, including four sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In 1955, at the urging of her parents, Brigitte escaped from Communist-controlled East Germany to West Berlin. Two years later, at the age of 17, she immigrated to the United States. In 1959, she met and fell in love with Frank. They were married on October 22, 1961, and later blessed with two daughters, Sonia and Carrie.
A decade after arriving in the United States, Brigitte became a citizen on June 13, 1967. She valued and made use of the opportunities she found in her new country. Her gift of languages, German, Russian, English, and Spanish, enabled her to work in a variety of settings that included McKinsey & Company in Washington D.C., Florida Hospital in Orlando, and Southern Adventist University (SAU) in Collegedale.
Brigitte retired from SAU in 2006, after 26 years of service in various departments, including the School of Nursing, the Development Office, and the School of Religion. Brigitte was always eager to embrace new technology and she became known among her colleagues as the go-to computer guru on campus. Brigitte also became a second “Mom” to many students over the years, a number of whom lived with the Di Memmo family. She always welcomed them into her home and fed them well.
Brigitte's love language was service to others. She was selfless and dedicated to her family. Despite being close to graduating herself, she set aside her own educational goals to support her husband and daughters through college and graduate school. Brigitte's selflessness was not limited to family. As a volunteer for Bridge Refugee Services in Chattanooga, she provided translation services and served as secretary to the Advisory Board for a number of years.
Brigitte loved hiking, bird-watching, gardening, and reading. She was multi-talented and excelled at many activities. While self-taught in most things, she trained as a competitive gymnast in East Germany, and later taught gymnastics in the US. She was a talented artist and musician. From a young age, she played the piano, accordion, and recorder and, as a life-long learner, she added the flute and dulcimer to her musical skills later on in life. Brigitte was a gifted seamstress and quilter, and renown for her amazing culinary skills. No one ever left her home hungry.
Brigitte is loved, and will be missed so dearly, by so very many.
Due to the current healthcare crisis, a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made ‘In Memory of Brigitte Di Memmo’ and sent to Bridge Refugee Services, Chattanooga, 4791 Hal Road, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or online at https://www.bridgerefugees.org
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421, https://www.heritagechattanooga.com