Ingrid M. Stabins

Ingrid Martha Stabins (1928 – 2026) 

Ingrid passed peacefully on May 24, 2026. Her daughter Martina Hamilton of Pittsburgh and son Henning Stabins of Maine and their families are grounded in her values and experiences stemming from a long life. We are fortunate to have shared her path, lovingly learned from her in so many ways, and will forever have her with us.  

She grew up on a family farm in Koesilitz, Germany, a beautiful village in Pomerania. She learned the importance of education from her mother and grandmother and attended an advanced school until WWII began. The War unfortunately shattered the family’s life and Ingrid underwent an ordeal as a sixteen-year-old no one should experience. With strong resilience she overcame many challenges to start a new life, continued education, and took an incredible risk to immigrate to America alone at 26. She started in New York City, had a brief time in Columbus, Ohio, and then landed on Cape Cod, Massachusetts where she settled for over 50 years, raising a family and enjoying a life she so deserved. 

Ingrid loved nature and spent countless hours tending to her flower gardens, patio pots, and befriending birds and chipmunks. She played tennis until she was eighty with many circles of friends. Friends and family were a key part of her life and up to the end she was in contact with friends from her early Germany and America immigration times. Story telling was her happy place as anyone who spent time with her would quickly learn. Her memory for events from long ago was remarkable. Her memoir book, Give Me Tomorrow, is a family treasure but also an important historical account of a little-known event, the German civilian expulsion, at the end of WWII. Even with English as her second language, she wrote a notable account of her experiences in a gripping style. 

Traveling to countries far and wide, learning about new cultures, and observing art and beautiful landscapes brought her joy. Her independence and drive to work toward goals was an inspiration. Always looking to learn and experiment, Ingrid earned a dean’s list college degree in hospitality and had a late career in hotel front desk management before retiring.  

She moved in 2018 closer to her daughter in Pittsburgh and appreciated all her friends at Cumberland Woods Village senior community. We hope her organizing Rummikub games will continue to be a legacy. She enjoyed learning about people’s pasts, sharing stories, and the warm friendships.  

No Visitation, Services held privately by family. 

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