Obituary of Maria Hepp

Maria Ria Hepp Ria Hepp passed away peacefully on December 20th 2022. She was 90 years old. Born in Palanka, Yugoslavia in 1932, Ria and her family fled to Austria during World War II. She developed her outstanding artistic abilities while attending the Art Academy of Vienna. Ria came to the United States in 1957 to work in textile design. She rose to the top of her field with her designs on wallpaper, towels and tapestries. Her talent as an independent agent in textile design, landed her contracts with prestigious companies, such as, Schumacher and Thuibolt in New York. Ria also used her talent to create professional quality sketches and paintings of family members which she generously gave away to relatives. Sometimes, this generosity included inviting relatives to see the sights in New York City with her. In her younger days, Ria loved to play tennis and relished the competition of tournaments in Boca Raton and in the Bahamas. More recently, the same competitive spirit enabled her to take on friends in her senior community in chess competitions and countless games of Dominos. Ria's two adopted dogs, "Fifi", a dignified white Poodle, and, in turn, "Pixie", a loveable tan and white, Chihuahua mix, were very special and dear to her. The dogs accompanied her on walks and in running errands in the car. A longtime member of the Trenton Donauschwaben Club, Ria rarely missed an opportunity to support the organization by being part of its many events. She was predeceased by her parents, Stefan and Tereska Hepp of Vienna, and her brother, Hans Hepp, also of Vienna, Austria. She is survived by a sister, Terry Pederson of Denmark, and two nephews, Hans Hepp, Jr. and Michael Hepp of Vienna. Ria will be missed by her cousins in this area, namely, Alexander Hepp, Wilhelm Hepp and Marlena Bohn Novosel, second cousins, Mark Novosel and Elizabeth Tindall, and many friends in her senior community. Funeral services will be held privately for the family. Arrangements are under the care of Knott's Colonial Funeral Home 2946 South Broad Street Hamilton, NJ 08610. Condolences for the family can be left at www.knottscolonialfuneralhome.com.