Obituary for Madame Schnepp

On 28 September, our neighbour and long-standing good soul, Hedwige Schnepp, passed away at the age of almost 98.

As the wife of the former castle gardener, she supported us from the very beginning, first with advice and soon with practical help. Initially, she offered us her help in our private mill household; ironing was her particular passion. With the expansion of the Domaine Jaegerthal to include the old schoolhouse, she took on her unforgettable role as the ‘good soul of the Domaine Jaegerthal,’ especially after her husband’s death in 2007.

Despite her dwindling strength, it was a great pleasure for her to welcome our guests and show them the Maison d’École or the Maison de la Turbine until about five years ago. With enthusiasm and sparkling eyes, she told her stories and shared her memories; she too was proud of what had been created at Domaine Jaegerthal over the years, because she was, after all, an important part of it, which in turn filled us with great gratitude.

She was a warm-hearted person who always gave an honest smile. Loyalty, openness and kindness were also attributes that distinguished her.

Over the past 30 years, a very special, almost family-like bond grew between her and us. She supported us wherever she could, always had an open ear and always treated us with genuine warmth. She often referred to us as her boys, her ‘8th and 9th children’.

For the past two years, Madame Schnepp had not been living in Jaegerthal but with one of her daughters, as she had become gently forgetful and needed assistance.

We visited her just a few weeks ago; it took a moment for her memory to return, but then there was that familiar smile and the sparkle in her eyes again; her personality, her nature and her warmth remained unchanged despite some memory lapses.

The funeral service and burial took place on 3 October in the small chapel in Windstein. Thanks to the sensitive words of Pastor Monique Gisselbrecht, it was a touching farewell, skilfully and charmingly conducted in two languages in accordance with Alsatian tradition.

Hedwig – it was only at the very end that we got to know her on a personal level – will be missed by all of us; as a friend, as a companion and as part of our history here in Jaegerthal.