Obituary of Melba Dickau

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Melba L. Dickau, 83, died on Monday, May 6, 2013, in the company of her family. Daughter of the late Adolf and Pauline Jabs Hintz, Melba was born July 30, 1929 in Bristol, CT, to a large, close-knit family. She graduated from Bristol High School in 1947, and then worked for Funk's Furniture of Bristol. On September 12, 1953, Melba married Herman K. Dickau at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, CT. Melba moved to Poughkeepsie, NY in 1957, and lived there since. She worked as the Registrar for the Dutchess County Girl Scouts from 1974 - 1993. In addition to her husband of 59 years, Herman, Melba is survived by her children Jonathan Dickau of Poughkeepsie, NY; Jim Dickau of Dresden, ME; and Audrey Collins, along with her son-in-law Bill and her grandchildren Justine and Liam Collins of Collinsville, CT. She was predeceased by nine siblings and is survived by her brother Harry Hintz and his wife Janice, and sisters Janice Sonstroem and her husband Gordon, and Lois Wilken and her husband Andrew, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Melba will be remembered for her loving, generous spirit and warm, ready sense of humor. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren, actively nurturing their development. She didn't like to sit still, and was always ready to pitch in and help her family, friends, and coworkers. Although not learned as a scholar, Melba possessed an inquisitive mind, always wanted to learn new things, and had keen insights that were greatly valued by others. Before her illness, Melba enjoyed reading nonfiction, traveling the country, and playing along with Wheel of Fortune. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1348 NY Route 9G, Hyde Park, NY. Memorial donations may be made in Melba's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.