Saide Hettler

1932 - 2024

Saide Hettler

April 17, 1932 - July 1, 2024

Saide Hettler, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2024, at The Haven at Brandermill Woods in Midlothian, VA. She is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, Bob Hettler, two children Neil Hettler (Karen) and Barbara Womack (Steve), seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and her sister Aili Lenhart (Don). She was preceded in death by a son, David Hettler (Sheri), and her mother, Salme Arnas.

Saide was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1932. She immigrated to the United States in 1949 settling in Paterson, NJ where she graduated high school and then attended Bethany College in West Virginia where she met Bob. They were married in New York City in 1955 at the Estonian Lutheran Church.

Saide and Bob briefly lived in Maryland when Bob was in the Army, and Cleveland, OH when he worked at US Steel, before moving to Midland, MI in 1961 when he accepted a job with Dow Chemical. In 1973, they were transferred to Walnut Creek, CA where they stayed until 1981 before moving back to Midland. After retiring from Dow in 1992, Bob and Saide moved to Midlothian, VA in 1994, buying a home in Brandermill. In 2020, they moved to the Brandermill Woods retirement community.

In addition to raising three children, Saide enjoyed cooking, bridge and painting. She was an exceptional watercolorist. Also known for her seemingly endless energy, Saide was an avid tennis player and loved to travel. In retirement, she and Bob took trips all over the world including Australia, China, Africa, the Amazon, Egypt England, and most importantly two trips back to her home country of Estonia.

The family plans to hold a small private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The BrightFocus Foundation.