Ortrud Koob was born in Altlandsberg, Germany on February 18, 1932. She and her husband, Hermann were married in 1954 and came to the USA in 1957, living in Needham. In 1979, they moved to Weston. Together they enjoyed walking, gardening, cross-country skiing, and vacationing to Vermont, Canada, Austria, and Germany. After Hermann passed away in 1988, Ortrud continued with most of these activities including annual trips to Europe.
Ortrud initially worked as a bookkeeper at several local companies including American Cyanamid and Xerox. She later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Bentley University in 1984 and continued to work in the accounting field. After retiring from full-time work, Ortrud transitioned into billing for small medical practices. She continued working with several long-time clients until recently.
Ortrud was a longtime and active Life Member of the Austro-American Association. She participated in many of their events and enjoyed meeting her friends there, making her a Wahlösterreicherin. Ortrud would always bring delcious cakes and they disappeared quickly.
She was also a member of SOLO (Sudbury Opera Lovers Organization) that met once a month and also brought her home made desserts to these events where they were thoroughly enjoyed. In addition, Ortrud attended many other opera lectures that were given in the Boston area and was very enthusiastic about continuing to learn about one of her favorite topics.
Ortrud was also part of a small group of congenial and close friends who attended concerts together and went to dinner afterwards. Occasionally they met in Cambridge for luncheon. These get-togethers were very much enjoyed by all, so much so that they tended to last all afternoon.
Ortrud’s family and friends are heartbroken and devastated by her sudden passing on June 6th. She was a very Independent, resourceful, positive, and vibrant person and a dear friend to all who knew her. Her godchild, Ellen, loved to have her at their family gathering and Holidays and enjoyed wonderful times together.
Ortrud was a treasure in her lifetime and will continue to be in our memories, and is survived by many relatives in Germany as well as two cousins and her godchild in New England.