Ingeborg Moosa

Beloved Ingeborg Astrid Moosa, (b. Jensen) passed peacefully on December 24, 2020 in Erie County, PA.

Inge was born January 5, 1929 in Duisburg, Germany, daughter of Waldemar and AnneLiese Jensen, and was big sister to Claus Jurgen and Peter Jensen. Having survived growing up in Germany during WWII, her family relocated to Swansea, Wales after the war for a fresh start.

While in Wales, she enjoyed working in a local horse stable (one of her lifelong passions), and eventually attended functions at the University of Swansea, where she met her husband to-be, Matti Moosa, who had been studying abroad for a semester on behest of the British Embassy, his employer in Iraq.

After a whirlwind romance, Inge and Matti were married in December 1953, and shortly after relocated to Baghdad, where Matti was working as a lawyer. While in Iraq, Inge and Matti welcomed their two sons, Hans and Mark. Eventually, when the political situation in Iraq became unstable with the impending coup by the Ba’ath party’s overthrow of the then British government, Matti and Inge decided to leave Iraq as quickly as they could with their two young sons. They made a hasty exit which eventually brought them to the shores of the US, with very little cash in their pockets and the hopes of a bright future in America.

Their life in New Jersey was like many immigrant families at the time in a new country, struggling to make ends meet with hopes of the future. Inge worked nights as a nurse’s aide and Matti worked odd jobs while pursuing a Masters and Ph.D at Columbia University in New York.

During this time they welcomed a daughter, Petra. The completion of Matti’s degrees afforded him teaching position at Edinboro University (Edinboro State College at the time), Edinboro, PA, where the family relocated. Matti and Inge spent the rest of their lives in Edinboro.

In the 1970’s Inge became an assistant teacher for the autistic class for the NW Intermediate Unit for over 25 years, and was even awarded the prestigious Annie Sullivan Medal of Achievement nearing her retirement. Her passions included being outdoors, horseback riding, gardening, reading, cooking, knitting and showing next-level hospitality to all. She adored her family and the animals she kept on their sprawling property.

Inge was an extraordinary woman of compassion, wit, intelligence, perseverance, generosity and fierce determination, who lived her life independently and fully up to the last few months of her life, even after the passing of her beloved husband in December 2014. Adored by everyone who knew her, she was a model of character, class and strength, which were a product of her Christian faith. She is survived by her brother, Peter Jensen, children Hans Moosa, Mark Moosa and Petra Moosa Beck, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Matti Moosa, and brother Claus Jensen.

The family has chosen to forego any formal services at this time and will hold a memorial gathering in the summer at her beloved property when it is safe to gather.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements. To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.

Memorials in her honor can be made to: NW PA Autism Society, PO Box 3923, Erie, PA 16508.