Anneliese Ottilie Cieslik

Anneliese Ottilie Cieslik, age 86, of White Plains, MD, passed away on February 14, 2025, from complications of dementia. Anneliese was born in Murrhardt, Germany, on May 2, 1938, to Wilhelm and Karoline (Schaal) Walter. She grew up in Germany during the tumultuous years of World War II, often recalling the hardships of her childhood, including daily runs to bomb shelters, hiding beneath desks at school, food shortages, and living off milk from the family cow, Sheckele. Following the war, she remained in Germany until meeting the man of her dreams, Albert Cieslik. She was working in a small retail shop, window dressing, when this dashing young man of 34 said “how much for the lady in the window”. She fell for the line, and they later fell in love, moving to Canada together in 1960 and later relocating to the United States, where work opportunities were plentiful. They married and had two children: Cornelia Carmen (Barnas) and Ricky Wilhelm. They settled in White Plains, MD, in 1971, where Anneliese and Albert (who passed away in 2003) spent the remainder of their lives. Anneliese became a U.S. citizen in 1983 and was proud of her American identity. During her later years, in the advanced stages of dementia, she could often be found praying aloud for the United States and saying, "God bless America!" Anneliese worked until the age of 70, cleaning houses and doctors' offices, and ironing linens and waitstaff jackets for a renowned caterer who frequently hosted events at the White House and for presidential inaugurations. Along the way, she befriended all those she worked for, often staying after work just to chat with her clients-turned-friends. Even after losing most of her eyesight at the age of 62 due to a rare eye disease, she continued working, relying on her daughter or son-in-law to chauffeur her to her clients' homes. Anneliese had a deep love for gardening. She could often be found weeding or planting, and it was common for passersby to stop and compliment her on the beauty of her home and flowers. This praise brought her immense pride and fueled her passion. She was also an exceptional cook and baker, hosting holiday meals with ease. Anneliese would proudly boast that she never needed recipes, simply adding a dash here and a pinch there—old-school, but always perfect. Her plum cake and Black Forest cake were legendary. Her love for baking was no surprise, as one of her brothers owned a bakery back in Germany. Anneliese was preceded in death by her parents, Wilhelm, and Karoline; her brothers Kurt and Wilhelm; her sister Ottilia; her husband Albert; and her daughter Cornelia (Barnas). She is survived by her son-in-law Robert Barnas, his daughter Ashley (and her husband Steve) and their son Noah; his son Michael (and his wife Lauren) and their son Tilghman, along with a baby boy on the way; son Ricky and his former wife Patricia, their daughter Cassie (and her husband Logan), and their sons Thomas and Hudson; nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held at Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646 on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 6-8 p.m., with prayers and eulogy starting at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. February 27, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church at 201 St. Mary’s Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646, with burial immediately thereafter at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at 4590 St. Joseph Way Pomfret, MD 20675. Memorial contributions in Anneliese’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Anneliese Ottilie Cieslik

May 2, 1938 - February 14, 2025