Elfriede Ananiewicz

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my beloved mother on February 15, 2025. She fought courageously in the hospital for two weeks before leaving us at the age of 93. Till the end, she kept her feisty nature and full cognition.

My mom’s life was an extraordinary journey filled with resilience, love, and adventure. She was born in Berlin and grew up in a small town in East Prussia. Her grandfather was an entrepreneur with a remarkable talent for advising on horses and drawing visitors from across the globe. They would come bearing gifts, and as a child, Mom often received Hava-A-Tampa cigar boxes—an uncanny nod to the life she would later build in Tampa.

Her childhood was marked by the harrowing times of Hitler’s Germany. Despite the danger, my great-grandfather and the town minister courageously ran an underground railroad to help Jewish friends escape. Tragically, my great-grandfather lost his life for his bravery—a legacy of courage that has always inspired us.

Mom determinedly pursued her education, attending the University of Leipzig and Arts and Letters school, where she earned a degree in Political Economics. She began her career as a journalist for the cultural ministry in Berlin, organizing events for Russian folk groups and speaking fluent Russian.

Her life took a new turn when she met my father in Stuttgart, where he was serving in the Army. Together, they embarked on a life full of adventure. After my birth at Ft. Huachuca, we moved to Vicenza, Italy. Mom embraced the Italian culture, learning the language and immersing herself in the community. Those years were magical, filled with visits from German relatives and holiday trips back and forth to my grandparent’s home in Germany.

When we eventually settled in Tampa, Mom’s entrepreneurial spirit truly blossomed. She began selling knitting machines, creating stunning sweaters I still cherish. In 1969, our family returned to Italy, where Mom turned her attention to jewelry—a passion that grew throughout her life and passed on to me at an early age. After another stint in Germany, where she expanded her knitting expertise, we returned to Tampa for good.

It was in Tampa that Mom’s creativity and determination took root in a lasting way. She started small, opening a booth at the flea market selling imports and jewelry. Over time, this grew into a family business with a showroom on Waters Avenue. With her artistic talent and vision, Mom designed exquisite beadwork that was sold to museums and jewelry stores across the country and even the globe. We traveled to trade shows together, witnessing her dream transform into a thriving wholesale jewelry business.

My dad joined the venture after retiring from the Army, and together, they created something remarkable. This business provided for us and reflected Mom’s boundless creativity and resilience.

Mom poured her heart into her family and her passions through every chapter of her life. She was a true artist, an entrepreneur, and the type of mother who pushed you to be your best. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the beauty she brought into this world.

Mom’s story is one of strength, love, and an unshakable belief in the possibilities of life. I will always carry her memory with me, and I’m so grateful for the incredible journey she shared with me.