Annemarie Gillespie

Mystic — Annemarie Gillespie, 93, of Mystic, passed away peacefully in her sleep March 12, 2023. Annemarie (also known as “Mima” to her grandsons) was born March 31, 1929, in Ohlau, Germany. She was the daughter of Anna (Groetzki) and Theobald Scheitauer.

During World War II as a teenager, Annemarie and her siblings fled their home as the Russian army advanced into Eastern Germany which is now Poland. Annemarie got separated from her family and was a refugee on her own until the end of World War II. After being placed in a refugee collection camp, Annemarie escaped and made her way to Western Germany. She was reunited with her family after World War II, and then immigrated to the U.S. in 1951, crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the U.S. transport ship Sturgis, arriving in New Orleans.

In 1953, Annemarie met the love of her life Jim Gillespie, and after just a few weeks of courtship, she was united in marriage to Jim Christmas

Day in Owenton, Ky., with her father-in-law, Pastor Newton Gillespie presiding over the wedding ceremony. Annemarie and Jim enjoyed life together for 66 years until 2020, when Jim passed away.

Annemarie was a civil service employee at Air Force bases in England, Germany, Japan, and the

U.S., ending with retirement from civil service at Grissom Air Force Base, Ind., where she worked in the civil engineering department.

Annemarie settled down in Peru, Ind., and enjoyed organic gardening, taking care of her endless collection of flowers, making her arts and crafts and searching for bargains at auctions and garage sales. She especially loved spending time with Jim selling their organic vegetables at the local farmers’ market.

Annemarie is survived by her son Thomas and his wife Kelli of Mystic; her sister Marie-Luise Paulsson of Laholm, Sweden; her brother Dietmar Scheitauer of Dortmund, Germany; her grandsons, Austin, Brandon and Matthew; and her nieces in Europe: Ulrika, Katharina, Annemie, Manuela and Anja. Her sister Eva-Marie and brother Horst-Guenther predeceased her.

All funeral services are private. The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, has been entrusted with her care.

During her journey during World War II, Annemarie was aided on several occasions by the American Red Cross. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Annemarie may make a donation to: the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.