Annette Dietz

O. Annette E. Dietsch Dietz, 74, a resident of Severna Park for 28 years, died Sept. 5 at her home.

Born in Merrick, Long Island, N.Y., on April 24, 1931, Mrs. Dietz was the daughter of the late Carl G. and Rubye Annette Carpenter Dietsch. Through her mother's family, she was a descendant of Thomas Stone, one of the early governors of Maryland and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

During her childhood she accompanied her family to various destinations as dictated by her father's position with RCA Communications. He was in charge of construction of radio stations around the world.

A graduate of high school in Leonia, N.J., she studied at the Greenwich, Conn., Hospital School of Nursing, the University of Connecticut and Yale.. Following graduation in 1952, she worked as a registered nurse in Connecticut and New York.

She helped in the establishment of the first electron microscope laboratory at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, and became a head nurse in one of the hospital's operating theaters. She also continued her studies at Columbia University.

In 1954 she married Clayton T. Dietz and accompanied him to Brazil where he worked with Citibank's branch network. The family lived in various cities in Brazil before returning to Old Greenwich, Conn. She was active in the Greenwich Women's Club and the Board of Education and worked as a private duty nurse.

In 1974 the family moved to Littleton, Colo., when her husband was with a Denver bank. She joined the Denver Women's Club and was head of its international activities group.

The family moved to Severna Park in 1978 when Mr. Dietz became a chief credit officer with a Baltimore bank. She became involved in the rehabilitation of wildlife, specializing in sick and wounded birds. She was licensed by the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Division..

One of her special fields of activity was the rescue and relocation of the many wild mallard ducks that gave birth to baby ducklings in the community. She was frequently interviewed by The Capital about the ducks and was referred to as "The Duck Lady of Severna Park."

Mrs. Dietz, who was fluent in several languages, also was active in a diplomatic social society in Washington, D.C.

In addition to her husband of more than 50 years, she is survived by their son, Clayton Dietz Jr. of Annapolis; their daughter, Michelle Procaccini of Stamford, Conn.; one sister, Diana Lohse of Summit, N.J.; one brother, Charles Dietsch of Leonia; and four grandchildren.

Her brother, Thomas Dietsch, who was in the Air Force, died in an air crash during the Vietnam conflict.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the memorial garden at Christ Church Greenwich, 254 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich.
As published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis Md. 09/07/2005