Mrs. Christine H. Detmer

Mrs. Christine Henrikson Detmer, 97, of Greenwich passed away on Sunday February 21, 2010 peacefully at home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Vincent Detmer, her son, Jerome Henrikson Detmer, and her sister, Margit H. Jakobsson, Malmo, Sweden. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert George and Ann Smith Bretscher, Athens, GA, grandchildren Susan Bretscher Crisler and husband Jon Brandt Crisler, Atlanta, GA, Christine Bretscher Cooper and husband John David Cooper, Charlotte, NC, Prentiss Bretscher Stidham and husband Thaddeus Jon Stidham, Knoxville, TN, and great-grandchildren Wilson and Frances Crisler, Eli and Perrin Stidham, and Prentiss Ann Cooper. Mrs. Detmer is also survived by her niece Lillemor Emland, Malmo, Sweden.

Mrs. Detmer was born in Goteberg, Sweden. She immigrated to the United States in 1931 and married the late George H. Bretscher in 1932. She was a Powers model in New York City and appeared in the Saturday Evening Post and a fashion show screened at Radio City Music Hall. She married Jerome V. Detmer at the Metropolitan Club in New York City in 1937 and was the daughter-in-law of Julian Francis Detmer of Tarrytown, NY. She became a U.S. citizen in 1948.

Mrs. Detmer was an award-winning flower arranger and an animal and nature lover. She was especially fond of visiting Greenwich (Todd) Point and taking in the views at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. She was a member of the University Club, The Travel Club of Greenwich, Knollwood Garden Club, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, English Speaking Union, and The Woman’s Club of Greenwich.

A devout Christian, Mrs. Detmer was an active member of Christ Church Greenwich, St. Paul’s, and Stanwich Congregational Church. Stanwich.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Gallagher Funeral Home in Greenwich, Wednesday, February 24, 2010. A private committal service for family members will take place on Thursday, February 25, 2010, in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. A memorial service will be held at Stanwich Congregational Church on February 25, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. Family will receive friends at a reception at the church following the service.

Arrangements are being handled by Gallagher Funeral Home in Greenwich.