Ottilia Gertrude Brand passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022. It was her birthday. She was born in the year 1939. Ottilia was known by most by the nickname, Tillie. She was the daughter of Ottilia Gordon (Pfeifer) and Rudolph Krohn, and step-daughter of Philip Gordon.

Tillie spent her childhood growing up in Hunting Park in Philadelphia.  She met her husband, Elmar at the age of fifteen at the Bayern Club in Northeast Philadelphia.  They kept in touch as Elmar entered the U.S. Army. Tillie worked at The John Stetson Hat Company as a secretary. After Elmar’s return, they married.

Tillie was a stay-at-home mom during her daughters’ formative years; however, Tillie did not only stay at home. Tillie was actively involved as a classroom mother throughout her daughters’ elementary schooling. It was common for all of her daughters’ peers to know her by name. Tillie was also an assistant Girl Scout leader of Troop 994 of St. David’s in Northeast Philadelphia from 1972 to 1976.  Her daughters, Heidi and Elise, belonged to this troop. Among many of the tasks Tillie would do for her children, she was fond of being the shuttle chaperone to the St. Tim’s Friday night dances, listening to the events of the evening that her daughters and friends would share with her on the way home.  Tillie also loved to sing. She was a member of the Heimat Echo at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein in Philadelphia.

As her children entered secondary school, Tillie entered the workforce. She worked for The Jade Corporation as a crib supervisor for a time, before securing a position at Prudential Insurance Company in Fort Washington. She worked there for fifteen years.

Throughout her life, Tillie was a skillful artisan. Whether she engaged in sewing, embroidery, crocheting, painting with watercolor or oils, or making jewelry, Tillie had an eye for color and design. Her creativity was one of the hallmarks of her personality.  She also was a thrift shop aficionado.  These combined skills allowed her to use her creativity to collect and make things. She loved to decorate for every occasion, the preparation of which brought her great joy. Her favorite holiday to decorate for was Valentine’s Day.

Tillie belonged to the special flower-arranging group at Addisville Church, Weeds and Seeds, for many years. It is here that she found her fellow “tribe” of flower arrangers. Tillie was also a member of the Pennsylvania Questers, a group dedicated to promoting education, history, antiques, and the preservation of historic sites and artifacts.

There is something else about Tillie: in a large group she kept a low profile. Those who knew her best know that her personality would come alive in one-to-one conversations or small groups. It is here that she revealed her incredible sense of humor. She could be downright hilarious. These humorous moments will be sorely missed.

Tillie was preceded in death by her husband Elmar, and her parents and step-father, her brother-in-law, Jaroslaw Iwaniuch, as well as her fur babies, Penny, Max, Tiger, Critter, and Arielle.

Tillie is survived by her sister, Helga Iwaniuch, and her brother, Norbert Krohn (wife, Barbara). Tillie is also survived by her two daughters, Heidi Ebright and Elise Brand (husband, Anthony Makowski), step-grandchildren, Kathleen Peery (husband, Paul) and Kayla Weslovich (husband, Eric) and step-great-grandchildren, Briella, Eliza and Arielle.

Services will be held at Addisville Reformed Church in Richboro, PA on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Visitation begins at 10:00 am. The service begins at 11:00 am, with a luncheon following.

The Washington Crossing Veterans Cemetery will inter the remains of both Ottilia Brand and her husband, Elmar together in May, with a final salute with military honors in recognition of Elmar’s faithful years of service to The United States of America.

Memorials may be made to Stray Cat Blues, Inc., or to the charity of your choice.

Many thanks to Elm Terrace Gardens for the wonderful care and sense of family they have given to Tillie during her years living there.

Throughout Tillie’s life, she was a nurturer. Whether it was caring for her children, her step-grandfather, her friends, others around her, or, ultimately, her husband in his final years, she did this with a giving beyond herself.  The world has lost a very kind, loving person when Tillie left this earth.  There is solace that Tillie has been reunited with her husband, Elmar, who passed away on October 16, 2021. Tillie was a loving wife, mother, sister, step-grandmother and friend.  Ottilia Gertrude Brand: your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.