Addie Wittenburg Belcheff - Texas, New Mexico 1931-2006
Addie Belcheff
Addie De Rose Wittenburg Belcheff, 75, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away July 26, 2006, at her home in Amarillo, Texas, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
De Rose was born July 2, 1931, in Georgetown, Texas, spending her childhood in Lometa, Texas, graduating from Lometa High School. She attended Incarnate Word College and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Home Economics. As an incredibly beautiful and intelligent young woman at Tech, she was chosen Top Tech Beauty and also South Plains Maid of Cotton participating in national finals in Memphis, Tennessee.
While at Tech she met George Belcheff of Sofia, N.M., and they were married in 1952. She worked at SPS in Lubbock, KZIP radio in Amarillo and taught at St. Mary's School. A strong believer in education, she earned her Masters Degree in Education- Psychology at West Texas State University. De Rose initiated and developed special education programs for the Texas Education Agency. She spent most of her teaching career at River Road High School as a Special Education Resource Teacher, and served on the district's advisory committee. Her accomplishments include the invention of assistance equipment for the physically disadvantaged, completion of the Leadership Amarillo Program, the North Plains A.C.L.D. and Teacher of the Year award.
During her teaching years, she accomplished another dream by designing and building her mountain sanctuary, a family cabin in Angel Fire. There, she was able to regularly gather her growing family for holidays and retreats, holding her annual Grandma's summer camps for her ever expanding number of grandchildren. She retired from teaching, but never retired from being the Christian example for the next generation of her family, friends and students. De Rose never met a stranger. Her optimistic and cheerful attitude graced everyone who knew her. Her selflessness for her family and students will undoubtedly be the grace that rewards her soul with eternity in heaven, where she once again will be embraced by her loving parents and brother until her family can join her. She was preceded in death by her parents: Leonard and Inez Wittenburg and her brother: Odus Wittenburg of San Angelo.
Survivors include her husband: George Belcheff Jr. of the home; two daughters: Jana Adams and Keye Chayne, both of Amarillo; two sons: George Belcheff III and wife Melanie of Southlake, Texas, and Gregg Belcheff and wife LuAnn of Stillwater, Okla.; grandchildren Keena Sandlin, Dustin Adams, Dania Stabel, Dara Harris, Austin and Christen Belcheff, Megan, George IV and Parker Belcheff, Anna Baggett and Jay Young; great grandchildren:Bryce Harris, Preston and Sophie Sandlin and Katlyn and Brody Stabel.
Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Msgr. Harold Waldow celebrating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be sent to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1200 S. Washington, Amarillo, Texas 79102 or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176.