Obituary of Anne-Marie Hackenberger

Anne-Marie Hackenberger, nee Mroz Anne-Marie Hackenberger died on September 10, 2021 in Shoreline, Washington at the age of 96. She was the beloved mother to sons Michael, Tommy and Peter Hackenberger, daughter Christine Rickert, adventurous and fun grandmother to Henry and Tommy Rickert, Kati Hackenberger, Carrie Hackenberger, Amanda Kepler, Tyler Henson, and Jennie and David Willis. Mrs. Hackenberger, as she preferred to be called, was born on August 19, 1925 in East Germany, in a small town called Schneidemuhl. Her parents were Max and Hedwig Mroz. They had 5 children, all of whom Anne-Marie survived. They were a hardworking and musical family bound by their deep faith in God which helped them cope with the many losses of the war. In 1944, Anne-Marie received her ‘Abitur’ diploma (roughly equivalent to high school) then completed her graduate degree in Germanics, History and Philosophy by 1950. She began her career as a teacher in 1943 in various school settings both in Germany and in the US, teaching English, German, Music, History and Drama. In 1956 Anne-Marie immigrated to the United States with her husband and first born son. Raising 4 children, she continued to teach, substituting in Seattle area high schools, while also doing post graduates studies at the University of Washington. With a rough economy for teachers in the early 70’s she returned to Germany to teach at an international school in the Black Forest in the town of Triberg, where she stayed until she retired in 1986. She directed many theater productions during this time, and put on numerous concerts as the music teacher. To be near her children, she once again crossed the pond in 1987, bought a house in Lynnwood where she lived for many years, enjoying her garden and her dogs, daily lap swims at the local pool, and writing several published books of poetry and journal stories about growing up during wartime Germany. Anne-Marie loved to travel, read, cook, and study languages and theology. She took cello lessons well into her 80’s, joined a weekly neighborhood folk dance band and played her recorder flute every Sunday at St Patrick’s church. She practiced the piano nearly every day, and enjoyed making music with friends, even getting hired for weddings and events as a member of “The Three Graces” Trio. Click on this link to hear her play an outdoor piano at Sand Point’s Magnuson Park ( performance at Sand Point Magnuson Park ). She was lively and vivacious. Her sense of humor was legendary and she was never one to miss out on any fun to be had. May she remain that way in our hearts forever. Please feel free to post your favorite anecdotes/photos on the tribute wall. You’ll probably have a good story to tell… Anne-Marie Hackenberger Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (becksfuneralhome.com) Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in her name to the choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seattle, where Anne-Marie was a longtime music making member St Patrick Catholic Church - SEATTLE, WA | Online Giving (online giving ).