Theodora "Dede" L. Reeck

Theodora "Dede" L. Reeck, 90, of Watkinsville, passed away at her home on March 23, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
Dede was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Reeck, and her parents, Edwin Nielsen and Ellen Doyle Nielsen, and her loving aunt, Jessie Doyle.
Dede is survived by her children:  James Reeck and his wife, Jackie; Nancy Holloway and her husband, Roy; Amy Brinkley; and John Reeck, and his wife, Terri; her grandchildren:  Ian Holloway and Colin Holloway; and Melanie Reeck, Timothy Reeck and Troy Reeck.  Dede is also survived by her sisters:  Jessie "Lovey" Tebbenkamp and Jean Gavey.

Dede, who was born in Brooklyn, NY, has actively participated in the Methodist Church since her youth.  She met her loving husband, Howard, at a church social, and so the best years of her life began.  They married in 1947 and Dede's wish of becoming a a mother began the following year when James was born.  Three years later, Nancy came along, and about three years after that, Amy.  Dede became involved in all activites involving her children, most of them centered in the church.  Dede was surprised eight years after Amy was born and welcomed John.  Dede and Howard moved to Hollywood, Florida in 1965 and Dede became involved right away in her new church, and since her older children were school age, she took a job in the Church Preschool with John in tow as a preschooler.  This began what would become a wonderful and fulfilling career teaching and becoming the Director of the Hollywood Hills United Methodist Preschool.  Dede touched the lives of countless children of preschool and kindergarten age over a span of 30+ years.  Her creativity and childlike imagination in teaching developmental skills and early childhood education, along with Bible studies and Christian grace and love, was appreciated by so many until she retired.  Dede and Howard moved to Watkinsville in 2007 and she once again became involved in her church.  She loved her involvement in the Betty Berry Sunshine Circle and the dear friends she met there. She put her heart and soul into the annual Luminary project to earn Mission funding, and was delighted to create the Worship Table in the church, which so many enjoyed.  Dede Reeck has touched so many lives....and all are better for it.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 3:30 p.m. at Watkinsville First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, 1331 New High Shoals Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677