Margarethe Barthalt of Ridge, New York, died on May 26, 2023, at the East End Kanas Center. She was 90 years old.
Born on Oct. 19, 1932, in Gottschee, Slovenia, her early years were shaped by the turmoil of World War II. At age 10, she volunteered with the Red Cross alongside her father, Vincenz Pibernik, to care for bomb victims and casualties. When she was 12, she and her mother, Amalia Pibernik, were separated from Margarethe’s father and forced to flee their homes, living homeless for six months as the war was ending.
At age 13, she entered a displaced persons camp with her mother, where they learned of the death of her father and brother. Despite these hardships, she became a preschool teacher at the camp to care for young children. When she immigrated to the United States with her mother at age 17, she continued her passion for children as a nanny in Cleveland, Ohio and later in Ridgewood, New York.
In 1955, she met her future husband, Adam. Together, they built a music production company, traveling the world with his band for over 55 years.
Margarethe was predeceased by her husband and brother. She is survived by her children, Debbie Burke of New Jersey, Adam of Texas, John of Texas, Sue Trypuc of Riverhead and Marcie Dilworth of Calverton. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be private with immediate family.
Memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be appreciated.