Erika Schellenberg

Erika Charlotte Schellenberg (Thiedke), passed away peacefully in Rochester, NY on February 22nd, 2025 at the age of 85. Erika is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Margarete Thiedke, her two sisters Inge and Irene, and her two brothers Alfred and Günther.
Erika was born in Berlin, Germany on 13th March 1939, a few minutes before her identical twin, Irene. Inseparable while they were growing up in the rubble of World War II, the two sisters received their diplomas as pediatric nurses in 1960. In August 1961, they were torn apart by the Berlin Wall. For twelve years they wrote letters to each other daily to stay connected across political and geographical divides. When the twins finally saw each other again in June 1973, it was one of the happiest days of their lives. Erika became a resident of Webster, NY shortly after her family's arrival in the United States in 1967. Originally a city girl from Berlin, she came to love her adopted home in the suburbs. Her appreciation of nature blossomed over the years, as she grew to know the names of flowers, birds and other wildlife surrounding her. In addition to nature walks, she also loved traveling, photography, shopping, Easter and Christmas.
She regularly invited her group of German friends for coffee, or dinner with their families. She also organized picnics and day trips for friends and European visitors to her favorite spots at Hamlin Beach, Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth State Park, Chimney Bluffs, and Niagara Falls. Once her children were grown, she went back to work at area hospitals, and took night classes to stay current in her career. Erika was a wonderful mother who always offered support, wisdom, and most importantly, love and affection in abundance. Her warm-hearted, outgoing and kind nature made her a beloved family member, friend, colleague and caregiver.
Erika is survived and missed by one son, Hilmar Schellenberg (Karen Kasanov) of Irondequoit, NY; two daughters, Binia D'Angelo (Daniel) of Halfmoon, NY and Angela Schellenberg of Chantilly (France); four grandsons Nicolas Schellenberg of Montreal (Canada), Bryan D'Angelo of Los Angeles, CA, Tyler D'Angelo and Kyle D'Angelo of Halfmoon, NY; two nephews Klaus Thiedke of Berlin(Germany) and Wolf-Dietrich Heil of Menomblet (France); niece Stephanie Heil of Nackenheim (Germany) and first cousin, once removed Regina Schreiber of Berlin (Germany).
Services were private.