Amalie "Maly" (Dittrich) Hatheway

Maly was born in Borkendorf, Germany on November 18, 1933 and grew up in Germany. Her parents (Paul and Ursula Dittrich) and siblings (Elisabeth, Bruno, Ferdinand, Paul, and Lucia) all predeceased her.

Maly was an International Telephone Operator in Frankfurt, Germany when she met her future husband Tony, who was stationed there with the U.S. Army. They were married in 1957 and soon thereafter moved to Texas, where they lived in numerous cities before finally settling in Austin.

Maly is survived by three sons, all of whom are married: Richard (Angela), James (Amy), and Michael (Gina Marie). She was also blessed with eight grandchildren whom she dearly loved. She was lovingly known as “Oma” by her grandchildren William, Amanda (Ben), Melissa (Cody), Andrew, Jason, Jacqueline, John Michael and Matthew.

Maly was always very active in her sons’ lives, becoming a Cub Scouts Den Mother, a Band Mom, and supporting her sons in their sporting activities. She also worked at the Texas Department of Public Safety, where she retired as the Manager of the Statistical Services Records Department. After retiring in the early 1990s, she began volunteering her time at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with the Choir, the Flower Guild, Daughters of the King, and numerous other groups.

Maly loved to travel, visiting many places throughout the world, including several trips back to her beloved Germany, Austria, Holland, Poland, Mexico, as well as numerous areas of the United States, including all across Texas, Alaska, Nebraska, Colorado, Hawaii, Branson, Hot Springs, the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and the New England Seaboard. As they traveled, Maly and Tony enjoyed hiking and collected badges from numerous locations which she affixed to her walking stick.

Maly was a very creative person and had numerous other interests. She enjoyed all sorts of needlework including knitting, crocheting and cross stitch. Her sons and grandchildren are all recipients of beautiful handmade crocheted afghans, all in their school colors! She also loved other crafts such as decoupage, staining, painting, and antiquing furniture pieces to give them new lives. Maly was also an avid gardener with a green thumb, who surrounded herself with plants both indoors and out. She passed that love of gardening to her children and grandchildren.

Maly really loved music, especially classical and choral music (whenever you visited her house you knew there would always be music playing in the background). She was a very active member of the St. Matthews Episcopal Church Choir, as well as the Austin Saengerrunde Damenchor (the women’s choir at the German heritage singing society in Austin). She passed her love of music to her children and grandchildren.

Most especially, Maly loved her family and enjoyed all the times she was able to visit with them. She especially loved the holidays when everyone was together. Her love of family was especially obvious when you saw all the family pictures scattered throughout her house. Her grandchildren especially looked forward to visiting Oma’s house whenever they could.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to everyone at The Enclave at Cedar Park Senior Living and Silverado Hospice who cared for Maly with such care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider donating to a charity of your choice.