Brigitte B. Herriott

The Lord called Home Brigitte B. Herriott (Schäff) on December 30, 2022, in Huntsville, AL at the age of 79. She was surrounded by her beloved daughter, Kathy, Son-in-Law, John, Granddaughter, Brigitte and her husband Graham, and her other daughter by love not blood, Debbie, and her husband Joe. She was the most caring wife, Mutti, Oma, great grandmother, and best friend to us all.

Brigitte was the baby of the three children, born to Karl Julius Emil Schäff and Magdalene Schäff (Wolfer) on July 18, 1943 in Nürnberg, Germany.

After graduating from German high school, she went on to two trade schools to learn the craft of making Steiff stuffed animals at the Steiff factory in Nürnberg, Germany, where her mother also worked. She also attended trade school for small appliance and repaired small appliances. Brigitte was known for being able to fix anything and everything. Her loving husband, David, of 60 years, was in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Nürnberg, Germany where he met and married the love of his life, Brigitte. They had their first child, while stationed in Nürnberg, Germany, a son, David and their second child, Kathy, born in Atlanta, GA, 3 years later. Brigitte served as an amazing Army wife during her husband’s 30-year Army career, packing up their kids, household and moving onto many adventures all over the world, during those years. She was a true Soldier in her own right! Brigitte worked as a Local National in Germany for the Government. When her husband retired from the military in December of 1989, they chose their retirement home in Converse, Texas. During the many years in Texas, Brigitte worked for AAFES, both at Ft. Sam Houston Army Post and Randolph Air Force Base until her retirement at the age of 70.

Brigitte was the most loving, caring, compassionate and best friend that anyone could ever ask for. At just 4’10”, she was the smallest German person, yet a true spit fire, full of spunk and finesse. She always said “good things come in small packages.” She was the most incredible Mutti and Oma. She had so many passions and hobbies. She loved to make ceramics, especially Santa’s and Angels for her family and friends. She made hundreds of ceramic gnomes, mushrooms and small animals for her garden and for her family and their gardens. She always had hoped to go to ceramic school in Germany and work for the Hummel factory and had tested at the Hummel Art School and was going to specialize in painting eyes, but her family could not afford the costs of the school. She painted with such love and created master pieces for all to cherish.

She loved animals, all animals, and they brought her such joy and happiness; her and the family were never known to not have a house full of pets. She would take in any stray animal and love them like no one else could. Throughout her lifetime, she had German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and cats. Her love of the German Shepherd was passed on to her son and daughter, who also have had German Shepherds throughout their lives.

She loved people, and oh how she loved to laugh and was always there for anyone who needed her. It warmed her heart and soul to put a smile on someone’s face, to comfort them, to love and care for them. She was the keeper of many secrets for both family and friends, everyone just knew they could confide in her and she would keep that for only her to know. Once people shared with Brigitte, they always walked away feeling better.

She loved nature, everything and anything that was outdoors. She spent time with her brother Dieter, walking in the woods in Germany, picking mushrooms and enjoying the peacefulness that the woods brought to her. Being from Bavaria, she loved the Alps and loved to visit Garmish-partenkirchen, Oberammergau and her favorite was Rothenburg ob den Tauber. One of her most favorite places in her and David’s many travels was to Rome and the Vatican, she always spoke of those memories. She loved gardening, her yard was always meticulous, manicured and flowers like one had never seen. Her yard and flowers were her pride and joy, she was blessed with a green thumb and could bring any flower, plant, tree, back to life!

She was not fond of cooking and it was a constant good laugh with the family because she would say “I’d rather clean a bathroom than cook.” She was blessed that her husband loved to cook and would provide her with the best of all German meals, and of course his favorite Polish recipes as well. She absolutely loved Burger King’s Cheeseburgers, Onion rings, Wendy’s Strawberry Frosties, and Dr. Pepper.

She was an avid bowler for many years and won more trophies than we can count. She loved sports, any and all sports. She was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. She had a zest and zeal for playing any type of games and especially loved it when she would beat all of us. One of her favorite games was a German game called “Mensch ärgere Dich Nicht” and she seldom lost!

Far greater of any love was her love of the Lord, she had a strong belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her husband David, would sit and share scripture with her daily, one of his favorite Bible verses, John 14:2 "In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." It became one of Brigitte’s favorites as well. The love of her life, David, passed on August 10, 2021, they are now together as one, God has prepared a place for them both.

Brigitte and David raised two children together David Christian (1961) and Kathy Annette (1964). Brigitte’s son David is currently married to Donna (Webb) of VA. David has four children, daughter Jessica and husband Kris Dorsey, of VA (children Alexis and Chance) daughter Rachel and husband Chris Shiflett of VA (children Londen and Carson) and two sons, David and Christopher Herriott of VA. Brigitte’s daughter, Kathy, married CW4(Ret) John Meyers, of WI and they have one daughter, Dr. Brigitte Davis who is married to Graham Davis of MS. Brigitte had a total of 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and her Granddaughter Brigitte and Graham are expecting what would have been her 5th great grandchild in March of this year.

Brigitte is survived by her son David, wife Donna, sons David and Christopher, daughters Jessica and Rachel, their husbands Kris and Chris, and great grandchildren Alexis, Chance, Londen and Carson; her daughter Kathy, husband John, daughter Brigitte and her husband Graham; her brother, Dieter Schäff and Sister-in-Law Betti, and brother Klaus Schäff of Nürnberg, Germany; Brother-in-Law, Richard T. Herriott of PA and Sister-in-Law, Janice E. Sweeney of PA., Daughter-in-Love, Debbie and husband, Joe Campbell of SC., Darlene Moreno of TX, Brigitte’s forever and best friend of over 40 years, who had been helping and taking care of Brigitte and David, and their home, for the past 4 years; Ken Self and wife Sara of TX, who were always there as both a friend and would help Brigitte and David with their yardwork and any and all jobs they needed help with around their home, for many years.

Brigitte was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, David E. Herriott, Father, Karl Julius Emil Schäff, her Mother, Magdalene Schäff (Wolfer), Father-in-Law, Eugene Herriott and Mother-in-Law, Catherine Kostra.

A committal service will be held January 27th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Fort Sam National Cemetery, Committal Shelter 3. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, please donate to any animal shelters of your choosing, as Brigitte had a passion and love for all animals.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Herriott family.