Alexandra Beaulieu Gutentag Obituary (1929 - 2014)

Alexandra Beaulieu Gutentag, age 84, passed away on January 30, 2014. Preceded in death by her husband, James Samuel Gutentag M.D. {1929-1973}; parents, Sigurd-Horstmar (Sigmar) Friedrich Sylvester Freiherr [Baron] von Beaulieu Marconnay {1900-1953} and Asta Augusta Pauline Carola von Beaulieu Marconnay nee Gräfin [Countess] von Maltzan zu Wartenberg und Penzlin {1904-1972}; brothers, Olivier Karl Andreas Baron von Beaulieu Marconnay {1928-2005} and Bernhard Alexander Hubertus Olivier Baron von Beaulieu Marconnay {1935-2009}. She is survived by her daughter, Gabriela Lee Gutentag; son, Mark Sigmar (Julie Spikerman) Gutentag; grandchildren, Mark Samuel, Aaron Daniel, Jonah Lee, Olivia Lynn and Maxwell Thomas; adopted son Joel Nathan Rosen; brother-in-law, Harry L. Green M.D., and sister-in-law Gabriele Andrea Pia Emma Baroness von Beaulieu Marconnay nee Baroness von Aretin; nephew, Louis Olivier Georg Christoph (Camilla Valerie Bayer) Baron von Beaulieu Marconnay; nieces, Cindy (Paul Anderson) Green Anderson, Bernadette Asta Elisabeth Dorothee (Stefan Andersson) Baroness von Beaulieu Marconnay, Deborah (Reuben Zahler) Green and Alexandra Christine Myrrha Baroness von Beaulieu Marconnay. Born Alexandra Eva Elisabeth Hylda Freiin [Baroness] von Beaulieu Marconnay on March 11, 1929 in Berlin, Germany, she was the second child and only daughter. Known to her family as Sascha, Alexandra was a gentle and tender-hearted girl who loved animals and would frequently sneak into the stables of Militsch, her mother's family's estate, to visit with the horses, bunnies and even the homing pigeons her grandfather raised. Alexandra earned a nursing degree from the Technische Universität Darmstadt (Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences) and worked in several hospitals throughout post-World War II Germany. As a nurse, she also cared for many children orphaned during the war. In her efforts to find them loving homes, she met an American Army officer and his family with whom she became great friends. At their behest and invitation, she emigrated from her homeland to the United States in 1952. She spent a year in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the family was stationed, subsequently accompanying them to their next posting in Southern California. There she landed nursing positions at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and City of Hope in Duarte where she met the love of her life, James Gutentag, who was working as a resident in pediatrics. The couple was married on August 22, 1957 in Ankara, Turkey where Dr. Gutentag was stationed with the US Air Force and where their first child was born. They traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia before returning to Los Angeles. A year later, the small family moved to Ohio so that James could pursue an advanced degree at the University of Cincinnati School of Psychiatry. In Cincinnati they welcomed their second child. A brief three years later, the Gutentags headed north to Cleveland where the family settled in Shaker Heights and eventually in Pepper Pike. Graced with creativity and elegance, Alexandra was a fastidious homemaker, naturally talented gardener, supremely skilled seamstress and all-around stylish hostess. Once her children were grown, she pursued a variety of careers from realtor to manager of a Williams Sonoma store. But her extraordinary artistic and imaginative talents really took center stage when she opened Posh Petals, a floral and event planning business. Later, she lent her talent and flair to Flowerville in University Heights. She especially loved the weddings she designed and decorated, none more so than her own son and daughter-in-law's 1988 nuptials. In more recent years, Alexandra enjoyed designing and making jewelry, beautiful ornaments that her family and friends will treasure for years to come. Above all, Alexandra's greatest joy was her family. To say she was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife and friend would be an understatement. She was compassionate beyond measure, generous to a fault, always curious and interested in current events, and as dignified and regal as the aristocratic title to which she was born. Please share a memory or post condolences at www.epsteinmemorial.com. A memorial service for friends and family will be held on Friday, February 28 at 11:00 am in the Garden Room of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 44106. The family will also receive friends on Saturday, March 1 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Villas at Woodcutter Clubhouse, 3285 Timberside Drive, Powell (Columbus), Ohio 43065. Arrangements to celebrate Alexandra's life in Los Angeles are ongoing. An exact date will be listed online at www.epsteinmemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a tribute donation in Alexandra's name to: The Cleveland Botanical Gardens at https://www.cbgarden.org/forms/GiftTribute.aspx; the Cleveland Metro Parks at http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Donate.aspx; or to the American Heart Association.