Herta Maria Pawlik was born on July 26, 1924 in Tübingen, Germany to her parents, Josef and Maria Joner. Later her family relocated to Mannheim, Germany where she enjoyed painting, singing opera and excelled in track and field. The tragic onset of World War II prevented Herta from participating for the German team in the 1944 Olympics. Prior to the war, she worked at the local telephone company and made lifelong friendships. After the war, she was put to work serving the American officers where she met her husband Oliver Pawlik. They married in Mannheim, and then moved to Munich where they had their first son. Within a few years they came back to live in Oliver's home town of Wheaton, Illinois, where she had her four remaining children. They lived in Naperville, IL; West Bloomfield, MI; Phoenix, AZ; and Tampa, FL; finally moving to Leesburg, VA in 1999.

Herta spent years joyfully volunteering her time in Leesburg, and met so many wonderful new friends; who all quickly welcomed her into their hearts. Herta was awarded the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year awarded by Loudoun County.

Herta's death was preceded by her sister Erika Lauer, her husband Oliver, and her children Theodore, Anamarie and Victoria.

She is survived by her loving sister Hildegard Becker, devout brother Franz Joner, her daughter Christine and husband Paul, and her son Richard. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren; Jason and his wife Jennifer, Jamie and her husband Dan, Jenn and her husband Tom, Stephanie and her husband Jason, David and his wife Brandy, Mike and his wife Kathleen, and Danny.

She is also survived by her 8 great grandchildren; Katie, Kalie, Sydney, Shelby, Allison and Christopher – all of whom she loved dearly and happily spoke about, any chance she was afforded.

She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country – and many more that still live in Germany.

There will be a gathering on Monday, April 18, 2016 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the place where Herta lovingly spent her time:

Blossom & Bloom Thrift Shop
110 West Market St.
Leesburg, VA 20176

Proceeds benefit others with disabilities in Loudoun County.
http://www.blossomandbloomthriftshop.com/
Tax ID #54-1014008