Grete Josephine Rankin's Obituary
Wife of John Joseph Rankin (deceased), Mother of seven children, and sister to Peter Schaumburg - Grete Josephine Schaumburg Rankin died on August 12, 2021. She was 94 years old.
Grete was born on April 24, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. The daughter of Bruno Eric Schaumburg and Grete Neilson Schaumburg, Grete grew up in the Brooklyn area. She enjoyed riding horses and caring for her Boston Terrier called “Dobie.” She attended and graduated from Endicott College.
On September 28, 1946, Grete married John (Jack) Joseph Rankin. Together they had seven children. Jack, an IBM Executive, was transferred from New York City to New Hope, PA, to Hagerstown, MD, then back to New Hope, Pennsylvania. In 1959, Jack was transferred from New Hope to the Washington, D.C., area where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Grete loved being a mother. She raised her children to understand the importance of family – Sunday family dinners were essential. When she became a grandmother, Grete was instrumental in assisting her children as they became parents; she adored all her grandchildren and played a large role in their upbringing. She also had a deep passion for animals, all of which landed in her care were greatly fortunate. Some of her favorite past times include antique shopping, decorating her home, jigsaw puzzles, socializing with friends and neighbors, and playing tennis and bridge.
Sadly, in 1987, Grete was widowed. While she recovered from her loss of ‘the love of her life’, she joined a widower’s Bridge Club orchestrated by the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland. There she met Richard Yee. Mr. Yee became a close friend of Grete’s. She included Richard in family gatherings, they took dance lessons together, and traveled extensively.
Grete is survived by six of her seven children; Linda Wildman Shepherd (husband Richard Shepherd) and siblings Alexandra Wildman Greaney (husband Chris Greaney, children Gabrielle and Aidan), and Lisa Wildman Jorgenson (husband Brian Jorgensen, sons Barret, Reece, and Karsten); Patricia Vasco and siblings Cassandra Vasco (husband Troy Laskoski, sons Emery and Kieran), and Isabel Vasco. Holly Rankin and siblings Kadie Rubenstein (husband Jeff Rubenstein, children Dylan and Josephine), and Geoffrey Wagner (wife Michelle Laurent). Thomas Rankin (wife Julie Rankin) and siblings John Rankin (wife Katie Rankin, daughter Molly Kate), and Kristen Rankin; Elizabeth Rankin (husband Bruce Schuettinger) and siblings Daniel MacDonald (wife Danielle Feinstein), and Eric MacDonald (wife Cori Burks, daughter Remi Dean); John Joseph Rankin, who passed away early on; and Russell Rankin (wife Jenny Dickson).
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please give to the animal rescue of your choice. Here are some options:
Lonely Hearts Animal Rescue in Frederick, MD: https://www.lonelyheartsanimalrescue.org/support-us/
Baltimore Barc’s Animal Rescue & Care Shelter: https://www.barcs.org/donate/#
Pet Finder Foundation: https://petfinderfoundation.com/
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