Congratulations on your 100th birthday!
Hedwig Sengstock celebrates her "round" birthday on Friday, 2 February 2018
Hedwig Sengstock reached the age of 100 on 2 February 2018. A representative of the Mayor's Office brings the City of Chemnitz's congratulations to the birthday celebrant at the "Willy-Brandt-Haus" retirement home at Johannes-Dick-Straße 6 in 09123 Chemnitz.
The war changed everything in the life of the young Hedwig Sengstock, née Block. Widowed at a young age, she had to leave everything behind in 1945: her previous life in rural Mützenow in Pomerania, her parents' house and carpentry workshop, her fallen husband's farm. The escape with her two small children finally led her to Klaffenbach near Chemnitz, where she built up a new life with the support of her mother. The family had to be fed, so any work was welcome. Hedwig Sengstock worked as a domestic help and shop assistant, and later also worked in the chemical and plastics industry, even after reaching retirement age.
Today, she lives in the Willy Brandt House and receives the support she now needs to cope with everyday life. She particularly enjoys the regular visits from her family, which now includes four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The birthday party, where relatives gather to celebrate Hedwig Sengstock's 100th birthday, will be a special highlight for her and the whole family.