Brigitta Illing Cryder

Gitta Cryder (Brigitta Clara Illing Cryder Opatz) age 94, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Maple Knoll Village in Springdale, Ohio. Born in Chemnitz, Germany June 26, 1930, to Charlotte (nee Strauss) and Arno Martin Illing, Gitta was raised in Cincinnati with her sisters Elizabeth Huff and Johanna Pitcher. Gitta is a 1948 alum of the last graduating class of Hartwell High.

In 1953, Gitta married James Robert Cryder, a high school math teacher, and raised two children, Jim and Julie in Wyoming, Ohio. Later they summered at their cabin on Lake of the Woods, Canada. Gitta was passionate about children. “Aunt Gitta” followed Polly Marty as director of Lads & Lassies nursery school in Wyoming until retirement in 1990. In 1993, Jim and Gitta moved to Sun City Arizona where Gitta was active in the First Presbyterian Church as a Deacon and Elder. Widowed in 1995, Gitta continued to enjoy Canada, skiing, and travel. Gitta married Ralph Opatz in 2004, a widower and father of ten children. Upon his passing Gitta relocated to Cincinnati to be near family. 

Preceded in death by her parents, sister Johanna, and husbands Jim and Ralph. She leaves a loving family including sister Elizabeth; son, James Robert Cryder Jr. (Cathy); daughter, Julianne Williams (Tim); grandchildren, Scott Cryder (Sarah), Robert Cryder (Jessica), Peter Williams (Greer), and Benjamin Williams (Alexandra). Loved by great grand-children, Noah Cryder, Mia Cryder, Gardner Williams, Georgia Williams, Culver Williams, and Wallace Williams; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends. 

Memorial service to be held on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, at 10:00AM at Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, 225 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, Ohio 45215. Private interment with family will follow at Kirkwood Cemetery, London, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gitta Cryder’s name to: Maple Knoll Village, 11100 Springfield Pk. Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 MKV or to Hope Foundation-Queen City Hospice, 4605 Duke Dr., Mason, Ohio 45040. HOPE