Jeannette Krumdieck's Obituary
Born on October 12, 1933 in Lima, Peru, Jeannette Krumdieck died on March 16, 2016 at the age of 82 at the Preston House Assisted Living Facility in Charlotte as a consequence of Alzheimer’s dementia.
She was the oldest of five siblings. In Peru she obtained a master’s degree in pharmacy. While working on her degree, she met a young physician, Carlos, who worked in the same laboratory. They married in 1959 and came to the United States. While Carlos pursued a career in academic medicine, Jeannette was often at his side, working as his research assistant in his laboratory.
Jeannette lived a family-centered life. She was a supportive wife and a loving mother, roles which she cherished. She seesawed gracefully between her two cultures, raising her two sons in Alabama while maintaining the values, traditions and language of Peru in her home. For her, everything Peruvian was “the bery bery best!” (She had trouble pronouncing the letter “v.”)
Over the years she opened the doors of her home to other family members, and became a surrogate mother to nieces, nephews and younger siblings. She ran a tight ship at home and knew how to get her way—but never at the expense of others. She was loyal and generous with her love, her time and her counsel. Jeannette was also a wonderful giver of gifts. She kept a little space at home, “the boutique,” that contained countless presents that she had bought for no one in particular, but ready for the giving to the right person on a special occasion. She also loved social gatherings, particularly if they involved music and dance. Her favorite food was ice cream (there wasn’t a close second), especially “banilla.”
She had a sparkling personality, a sharp intellect and a wicked talent for math, able to add, subtract, multiply and divide rapidly in her head. The loss of this ability was, sadly, one of the first manifestations of her dementia.
Alzheimer’s slowly eroded her memories and took away her independence, but to the end she retained her sparkle, spunk and good nature, and a faint memory of those to whom she was closest in her life.
She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Grace. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Carlos, her two sons, Alex and Richard, and three grandchildren, Shannon, Max and Cary.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 8 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson, NC with interment to follow at Mimosa Cemetery, 518 South Street, Davidson, NC.
The family is being served by James Funeral Home of Huntersville.
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