Rosemarie W. Hollerith passed away on May 20, 2025 in Williamsburg, Va.
She was born on July 13, 1937 in Herrenberg, Germany, the daughter of Arthur and Elfriede Wittel, and the sister of Volker Wittel, who lives in Pforzheim, Germany. She has a niece, Anke Wittel, and a nephew, Kai Wittel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Hollerith Jr., who passed away on May 23, 2022.
1937 and the following years were not an easy time in Germany. Romy grew up in Geislingen, Steige, but despite all the problems, she went to school and received a very good education.
Her hobby was always music. She played the piano, recorders and the flute. She sang in different choirs which were always a lot of fun for her. She believed that music is an international language; one maybe does not understand the language but one understands the music.
Romy spent one year in Paris and two years in London to improve her spoken languages.
In 1971, Romy joined IBM Germany as an Executive Secretary. Shortly after she became a manager and in 1977, she became the first female second line manager in IBM Germany.
Romy married Richard Hollerith Jr. in 1983 and moved to the United States where Romy enjoyed Richard’s four children, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Richard and Romy enjoyed life, enjoyed people and were always busy and active. They loved to travel and enjoyed visiting his grandfather Herman Hollerith’s farm, Brighton, in Mathews, Virginia, which Richard bought in 2000.
In July 2008 Romy and Richard moved from New Jersey to Windsor Meade in Williamsburg, Virginia, to be closer to the Farm in Mathews.
Romy is survived by her children, Nanci Hollerith Allen (Brian Brown), Richard Hollerith III (Jeanne), John Moore Hollerith, Susan Hollerith-Cashin (Jim Cashin); 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Volker Wittel (Gudrun); nephew, Kai Wittel, and niece, Anke Wittel.
Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of contributions to favorite charities.
A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg at a future date.