Jamie Mary Wittenau's Obituary
Jamie Mary Wittenau, a fifth-generation Alamedan and lifelong artist, passed away in 2026 at Ace Care Home at the age of 89. Born in Alameda, California in 1937.
Jamie’s life was rooted in the Bay Area and enriched by family, music, and a deep devotion to painting.
Jamie was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Boyce Powell; her father, Carl Ernest Wittenau; and her brother, Roy Royal Wittenau. She is survived by her children: daughter Gretalynn Branch and husband Bill; sons Peter (and wife Ceara Davis) and Michael (and wife Margaret Hover Branch); daughter Gwendolynn Metzler , beloved companion to many Welsh and Cairn Terriers); and son Eric Slavik. Jamie is also survived by her nephew Michael Von Wittenau and husband Robert Bogart Von Wittenau; and her niece Marcia Breese and husband Robert Breese, and their children Cody Breese (and wife Caroline) and Conner Breese. She is also survived by Margeret Hus and the gentle, patient, and loving care of the staff of Ace Care Home in Concord, California.
Jamie graduated from Alameda High School and attended the University of California, Berkeley for two years before marrying and moving to Texas, where she had three children while continuing to study art at the Laguna Gloria Art Museum and school. After divorcing, she returned to Alameda and continued building a devoted artistic life, exhibiting widely and steadily.She was an active member of the Oakland Art Association, served as a board member of the Piedmont Arts and Crafts Guild, and participated in the Alameda Art Association. She was also an exhibiting member of the San Francisco Guild, including the F.I.A. Annual Juried Exhibition, among many others. Before retiring to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, Jamie especially loved her years living aboard her houseboat at Barnhill Marina in Alameda. Watching ships and sailboats pass her home became a daily joy—and the inspiration for many of her paintings. In addition to her visual art, Jamie was an accomplished pianist. She also enjoyed her work at Capwell’s in Oakland, where she ran the Wedding Registry.
There will be no services.
Donations in Jamie’s memory may be made to: Ace Care Home, 3718 Chaparral Ct., Concord, CA 94519, or Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter, 2127 Front St., Sacramento, CA 95818.
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