Send Flowers

Life story

"One of Old Town Warrenton’s favorite people, Marta Irmen peacefully passed away with her family by her side after a brief illness on June 13, 2023.

Born in Dettingen, Germany on December 23, 1940, Marta emigrated to the US as a young adult and fulfilled her childhood dream of having her own jewelry shop in 2003 when she and her husband John opened Marta von Dettingen (named with a nod to her hometown) in Old Town Warrenton. She and John shared a love of history, and put their heart and soul into the restoration of the 200-year-old building.

She had an impeccable eye for beauty and her shop’s inventory included her own hand-picked pieces of estate, vintage, and new jewelry. It also included anything else that caught her fancy, such as art and small antiques. As a European chocolate lover, she added gourmet Belgian and German chocolates.

Marta will be missed in the Fauquier community where she made many friends who appreciated her good heart and forthright character. She often asked the parking officer for her work schedule so she would know when she could exceed the allotted parking time on Main Street without being ticketed.

Marta would always say, “Don’t send me flowers when I’m dead, give them to me while I’m alive!” Therefore, in lieu of flowers, friends of Marta are invited to donate to the Fauquier DSS Champions for Children, a local organization that helps foster kids live their best lives and raises awareness of child abuse: Fauquier DSS Champions for Children, 320 Hospital Drive, Warrenton VA 20186.

Auf Wiedersehen."