German woman left fitting local legacy
THE legacy of a German woman who lived in Dundalk for many years has lived on through ongoing donations from her will to local charities.
Ilse Ottefulling initially came to Dundalk in 1952 with her first husband Hermann Richter. They founded the well known German Salami Company on the Avenue Road.
When her husband died shortly afterwards, Ilse carried on the business assisted by Uve Albrecht. She eventually sold the business to Ulv and Dorothy Albrecht in 1977 who with their children developed it into a thriving business.
Some years after the death of her first husband, Ilse married Erich Ottefulling and the couple lived at the Rock Road, Blackrock.
They eventually returned to their native Germany, living in Papenburg. Erich passed away in 1997 and Ilse died on 13th April 2002.
Speaking in Dundalk last week, Johannes Pott, who works for the foundation set up in Ilse’s name, said that during her time living here, Ilse had made many good friends in Dundalk and returned on holidays every year.
‘She often remarked that perhaps she should have stayed here as she had spent so many good years in Dundalk.’
Indeed her affection for the area is evidenced by the fact that she directed her executors that she wished charities in Dundalk, especially those dealing with children, to benefit from her foundation.
Over the last decade and more, a number of local groups have benefitted from donations directly from the foundation, including St. Brigid’s in Ard Easmuinn school which received the third donation from the Ottefulling foundation for children.
The school first benefitted from the foundation back in 2004 when Ilse’s estate first began to contribute to local charities, and then again in 2012.
St Brigid’s School facilitates children with mild learning difficulties from the age of four to eighteen, and are recognised for providing a ‘caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the individual intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed.’
The Dundalk based Special Needs Active Parents (S.N.A.P) group received their very first donation of €10,000 donation, which they were ‘overwhelmed’ by.
Based at the community cen- tre in Lios Dubh, the group work to provide support for children with special needs and their families.
Karl Cullen explained that Special Needs Active Parents was initially set up after a group of parents enquired about establishing swimming lessons for children with Special Needs back in June 2004.
‘ These parents got to know each other at different early intervention sessions such as hysiotherapy, feeding clinics etc, which they attended at Early Intervention Services, H.S.E. Mounthamilton House in Dundalk.’
The swimming sessions proved a big hit with both the kids and parents, who decided to build on their interactions, by setting up a group to meet more regularly, exploring new ideas and potential fundraising events to finance them.
Since then S.N.A.P has flourished with over forty parents now involved with their children, and a range of activities regularly held such as arts and crafts, day trips, yoga sessions for parents, and play sessions for the children.
Karl explained that the move to Lios Dubh was of huge benefit to the group, but equally they have plans to adapt their surroundings to suit the needs of children.
‘ There is a sensory garden planned here, and we hope to do some work at the back of the building to brighten up the area along with a group summer camp we are hoping to hold.’
Cllr. Maeve Yore, who was one of the founding parents explained that her daughter Rachel loves the new space at Lios Dubh.
She told The Argus: ‘We do aim for the group to provide support for families as well, and we are a totally voluntary group so this donation is a fantastic help.’