Ingeborg Lange Curtis

Inge was born in 1939 in Bremen, Germany, and her formative years were shaped by the hardships of the war and the post-war recovery. Growing up in the aftermath of World War II, she witnessed firsthand the trauma of war and the struggle of rebuilding a nation devastated by conflict. These experiences fostered in her a deep commitment to peace and made her a strong pacifist throughout her life.

After finishing school in Germany, Inge’s choice of apprenticeships reflected her desire for peace and her love of nature. She enrolled in a five-year training program for landscaping, gardening, and floristry. Surrounded by natural beauty, she found joy and fulfillment in cultivating it. In her early twenties, she courageously moved to the United States to pursue nursing.

Inge’s move to the United States was particularly challenging as she did not yet speak English. While working as a nurse, her closest friend encouraged her to take English lessons to fully master the language. This advice proved life-changing, leading Inge to enroll in English classes at Columbia University. Ultimately, she became a full-time student, working multiple jobs to pay for her tuition and lodging. Graduating with honors was one of the proudest days of her life.

While studying at Columbia University, Inge met her husband, Lowell Curtis, and together they had two daughters, Kirsten and Maia. Lowell became a school headmaster, and Inge found fulfillment in teaching, often helping children improve their reading and English skills.

Inge’s dedication to her daughters was unwavering, and she transformed her incredible creativity and resourcefulness into a magical world for them. She crafted a sailboat bed from a rowboat, complete with a hand-painted sail, allowing one daughter to “sail the seas” as she slept. For her other daughter, Inge built a cozy alcove bed with handmade cushions, curtains, a lamp, and bookshelves—where she could escape into her own world of books. Inge built elaborate dollhouses, an indoor playground, hand-stitched stuffed animals, and even a hand-painted harpsichord, a project that took a year to complete. The harpsichord was so striking that it was later purchased for use on the set of the recent television show “Turn,” a drama set during the American Revolutionary War.

After nearly 30 years of marriage, Inge’s life took another courageous turn as she began anew following her divorce. She purchased a bed and breakfast in Williamsburg, Virginia, which she ran successfully for 16 years. Inge brought her many talents to this new venture—her delicious breakfasts and remarkable gardening skills among others. She planted thousands of tulips in front of the house and won a garden club award for several years.

Eventually, Inge fulfilled her dream of purchasing a home on the Chickahominy River, where she retired to fully embrace her passion for nature. She joined a birding club and became a master naturalist, turning her photography skills toward capturing birds. Her talent was recognized with several awards for her photographs.

Inge enjoyed traveling the world and visited the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. She loved her adventures, seeking out natural landscapes teeming with wildlife, especially birds. Her travels were driven by a desire to experience these pristine environments before they could be affected by over-tourism or climate change.

Inge’s love of nature made her deeply attached to her riverside home, where she created a haven for birds, attracting hundreds of hummingbirds daily to her feeders. She also cherished spending time with friends, meeting for Friday lunches, Monday pub nights, and a regular kayaking group.

Above all, Inge adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She took great joy in sharing her love of nature and creativity with them.

Inge is survived by her two daughters and their families: Kirsten Curtis and Robert Cote; Maia Curtis, Rob Blackwell, and their children, Finn and Pippin. Her beloved dog, Liesel, will continue to be well-loved and cherished.

A Celebration of Life service for Inge Curtis will take place on Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 PM at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3051 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185. A link to join the service remotely is available below, with the service information.