Francis Lydia Witten's Obituary
Francis Lydia Witten passed away on February 2, 2022 with her son Jeffrey and son-in-law Marc at her side. She was 85 years old, and a 6 1/2 year survivor of cancer. Francis often spoke with appreciation to have had a wonderful, full life filled with love, family, friends, travel and adventure.
Born August 26, 1936 in Amsterdam NL, her outlook on life was shaped by her childhood wartime experiences. At 6 years old she was sent alone into hiding in the Dutch countryside by her mother, while her father and 39 family members were sent to concentration camps- not to return.
In 1958 Francis met her future husband Alvin White at the World’s Fair held in Brussels. It was love at first sight. After just one date and five months of transatlantic courtship, they were married the following year in Amsterdam. They moved to Cincinnati, OH where they spent 30 love-filled years together. 1988 and 1989 were difficult years, as first she suffered the heartbreaking loss of her beloved brother Henri, and the following year her husband Alvin. She remarried in 1992.
She is profoundly missed, yet celebrated with most loving memories of her warmth, wit, glamour and elegance by her devoted son Jeffrey White MD and his spouse Marc Teixeira (Gainesville, FL); beloved brother-in-law Jacob Ruyter (devoted 26-year life partner to brother Henri deLange) (Palm Springs, CA); dear sister-in-law Iris Diamond (Cincinnati, OH); beloved son-in-law Nigel Teixeira (New York, NY); beloved first cousins Fred (Sylvia) Hochheimer, Rob (Evy) Hochheimer and Margriet Hochheimer-Hagel (all of Amsterdam, NL); and many dear friends. She is survived by her husband Lou Witten and his children and grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by her beloved half-brother Colonel Jozeph (“Joop”) deLange of Ermelo, NL. Her life was a blessing; to have known and loved her a true gift. We often told each other, “Ik houd van jou-I love you so much it hurts!” Francis was the daughter of the late Marguerite (Hochheimer) and Jacob deLange. At her request, funeral services were private. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Lovingly penned by her son Jeffrey, who will forever hold his Mom close in his heart.
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