Magdalene Hedwig Dreyer

Magdalene Hedwig Dreyer, née Fresenius, was born on January 28, 1916 in Mainz, Germany. She spent her childhood in the town of Burg bei Magdeburg where her father served for many years as Lutheran pastor.

After her marriage to Roy C. Dreyer in 1938, she settled in Schleswig-Holstein, his homeland, where they raised two children, Gesine and Ocke, during the war years. In 1950, the family immigrated to the United States, residing briefly in Chicago before moving to Bellingham. During their long American sojourn, they lived in different cities, including Cleveland and Pittsburg, but always returned to the Northwest, especially Seattle, their favored place of residence. From 1976, they lived in a historic cottage on Mercer Island in a neighborhood once known as East Seattle.

Magdalene never had acquaintances or contacts, only friends, wherever she lived, but especially in East Seattle. Some years after the death of her husband, Magdalene became an affectionate friend and traveling companion of her neighbor, Elliot Marple.  Besides traveling to France, Germany, Greece, and Turkey, Magdalene and Elliot spent many happy days wandering the byways of northwest Washington, until separated by his death in 2001.

Magdalene passed away at her home on October 30, 2013. She is survived by her son and daughter, her grandchildren, Natania, Elena, Lynette, William, and Karie, and five great-grandchildren.

A commemoration will be held for friends later in the year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be gratefully appreciated. Please contact the Habitat for Humanity Gift from the Heart Program. Telephone 1-800-422-4828.