Melitta I. Strebel passed away peacefully at her home in Jefferson Valley, NY at the age of 89. Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Melitta married Dr. Ralph F. Strebel in 1947. While raising four children, she worked at NY Medical College as a Laboratory Technician, and later as a Clinical Care Assistant. Melitta loved gardening, floral design, singing, dancing and the arts. She especially loved caring for her beloved pets, of which she had many over the years. She enjoyed traveling and entertaining and often was referred to as the life of the party. Melitta was predeceased by her former husband, Ralph Strebel, and her granddaughter, Dani Strebel, her parents, Edmond and Erna (Danne) Wechcinski and step-mother, Erika (Decot) Wechcinski. She is survived by her four children, Frederick (ShanShan) Strebel, Debby Strebel, Steve (Dolores) Strebel and Tina (Bill) Waszkiewicz. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Andy Strebel, Max Strebel, Jamey (Liz) Strebel, Katarina Strebel, Chris (Dana) Strebel, Katelin (Chris) Connolly, Matt (Emily) Strebel, Sarah Strebel, Nick Waszkiewicz, and Matt Waszkiewicz and five great grandchildren, Buck and Daisy and Briana, James and Brody. Mrs. Strebel’s funeral service will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 9:30 am. Please consider a donation in Melitta's memory to either Teatown Lake Reservation and Preserve at Teatown.org or Pets for Vets at PetsforVets.com