Marianne Elizabeth Dittenhofer Obituary (1943 - 2016)

Marianne E. Dittenhofer passed away on August 2, 2016. Beloved wife of Peter Dittenhofer for 37 years. Loving daughter of the late Elizabeth (nee Redel) and Freidrich Goldschmidt. Devoted pet mom currently of her beloved dog, Avery and her cats, Tina, Master, Sugar, Mr. Whiskers, Kitty and Misu. Loving pet mom of many former grateful rescue cats and dogs. Remembering Dorothea Steckley. For her husband Peter, meeting Marianne for the first time was like a movie scene. He was walking the trails of Pennypack Park when he saw a beautiful woman on a large white horse she had borrowed for the day. On impulse he stepped in front of her horse and introduced himself. They soon discovered they both shared a love of animals and the outdoors. They both loved the Pocono Mountains where they hiked with their dogs and swam in the lakes. It was a wonderful period in their lives and Peter is forever grateful for the years they spent together. When they married she became a devoted pet mom, rescuing many dogs and cats that would have perished without her kind help. She also found homes for her rescues and encouraged people to be responsible citizens by having their pets neutered and spayed to prevent more homeless and unwanted puppies and kittens. She was also as talented as she was beautiful. Marianne was always an animal lover and dreamed of owning her own horse. When she started working, she saved her money and bought a foal, Jeni which she raised and took care of until Jeni passed. In her spare time, after work and on weekends she groomed and cared for her horse and enjoyed riding with her best girl friend, Beverly. Marianne always loved dogs, from her first dog, Daisy to her current rescue, Avery. She especially loved West Highland Terriers and in her younger years, she trained and showed her own Westie. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends, Raymond and Dean who showed cats and she learned from their expertise on cats. She was very grateful for the gift of their cat, Master who was a show winner. Marianne learned to groom and became an accomplished amateur groomer and enjoyed spending time grooming her own pets. She also liked to sew, taught by her mother, Elizabeth and became accomplished enough to make her own clothes, including suits and dresses for work. Marianne was taught German by her parents and enjoyed spending time with her friend, Kurt who also spoke German. He was very kind to her and always looked out for her. Marianne had many talents but her main purpose in life was to try to make a better life for homeless, helpless animals and to encourage others to treat animals with respect and kindness. Marianne always found comfort in the poem, Rainbow Bridge about pet loss and being reunited with your pets and now she's crossed the Rainbow Bridge into Heaven. Friends and relatives are invited to greet her family on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10 - 11 am at Lambie Funeral Home 8000 Rowland Ave (at Rhawn Street). Her memorial service will follow at 11 am. Donations can be made to any pet rescue or shelter organization of your choice in her memory.