In Memory of Angelika Cutts(1955 - 2018)
- Name
- Angelika Cutts
- Spouse
- Tom Cutts
- Children
- Brian, Daniel, Atombo, Rebekah
- Birth Date
- May 26, 1955
- Blessing Date
- July 1, 1982
- Ascension Date
- March 10, 2018
Following is a testimony by Angelika's husband, Tom Cutts. .
One neighbor said Angelika’s smile radiated across her whole face “and even made her eyes twinkle.” Another couple recalled the day they first met Angelika. She was in the front yard with our youngest son, Atombo, launching water rockets when the couple drove by. One swooshed up several hundred feet, and they just had to turn their car around to meet the “Rocket Mom.” Angelika had a ready smile, enjoyed activities with our children, enjoyed meeting our neighbors, and delighted in discovery and adventure.
After a long battle with abdominal cancer, Angelika made a peaceful transition to the Eternal World. She passed away at home with me and three of our four children by her bedside. Our oldest child, Brian, and his wife, Joy, live with their one-year-old son, Isaac, in England. They were unable to be at the bedside but called by telephone from England. Immediately after they spoke words of love and gratitude to Angelika, she took her last breath. The final week of her life was especially difficult, but our Heavenly Parent guided her passing at every turn.
Angelika was born in Emsdetten, Germany, to Alois and Rita Grabisch. They were devout Roman Catholics. They were originally from Silesia, which is now in Poland, and were relocated after World War II. Angelika’s father was a tailor. Before Angelika was born, her parents lost two infant sons, one due to a miscarriage and the other died a couple of days after birth. The doctors warned Angelika’s mother not to get pregnant again, but the couple wanted a child so badly that they risked Rita’s life in order to give birth to Angelika.
She was a sensitive child, and when she was seven, Angelika made an altar for Mother Mary in her bedroom. She continued to have an active prayer life, eagerly sharing her experiences and concerns with our Heavenly Parent, asking questions, making requests, and seeking God’s guidance. She was also very physically active. As a young girl, she enjoyed bicycling and playing outside with her friends. Her mother found it hard to get her to sit down to eat at meal times.
Angelika studied languages at the Heidelberg University, wanting to be a translator at the United Nations, though she never completed her degree. In 1974, she met Philip Hill while on campus. He introduced her to the Divine Principle and the Unification Church. After learning about the mission of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, Angelika dropped out of school and joined the church. She wanted to help the True Parents usher in God’s Kingdom on earth. Her first assignment was to raise funds for the church, traveling with a team all over Europe.
Just before New Year’s Day, 1981, she and hundreds of other European church members boarded planes for New York. They would participate in a matching being conducted by Rev. and Mrs. Moon. Angelika expected to return to Germany after the matching. However, she received a big surprise when Rev. Moon matched her with me, an American. We were Blessed in marriage on July 1, 1982 with 2075 other couples in Madison Square Garden.
After the matching, she was sent to Alaska to fundraise for the church, while I continued my studies at the Unification Theological Seminary in upstate New York. The whole country lay between us. Angelika had incredible adventures flying into tiny villages across Alaska. She went door to door in subzero weather asking donations in exchange for office pictures and hand puppets. She really enjoyed fundraising with Freddy and Freda, the squeaking frog hand puppets.
When Rev. Moon assigned me to Atlanta in 1984, Angelika was sent to Los Angeles to help the local church there. Again we were on opposite sides of the country. Finally, in 1986, she was sent to Georgia. Still, she didn’t come directly to Atlanta. She was first the City Leader of our local church in Albany, Georgia, and then the City Leader in Macon, Georgia. Finally, in mid-1987, she came to Atlanta, and we started our family. Our first child, Brian SooMinh, arrived on May 5, 1988.
Three more children followed, one being born nearly every two years. Daniel SooYoung was born on May 4, 1990. Atombo Michael was born on October 25, 1992, and Rebekah Lan A was born on September 13, 1996. Angelika was a full-time mom and homemaker. I was frequently out of town and out of the country on church missions, and so Angelika largely raised the children on her own.
For over a dozen years, she volunteered at the local elementary school as our four children made their way through the grades. She packed thousands of school lunches, attended hundreds of soccer games, basketball games, track meets, martial arts programs, music lessons, swim meets, Boy Scout Eagle projects, and football games. Rebekah commented, “Mom never missed a swim meet, a football game when we played in the marching band, or a martial arts promotion. And she got me interested in yoga. She went two or three times a week.” Angelika helped each of our children go door to door selling boxes of Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout popcorn, school greeting cards, and band candy. Angelika knew all of our neighbors.
From Angelika and me, our children inherited a love of adventure and travel. As a family, we made multiple trips to Germany and to Korea, and spent 40 days in the wilds of the Pantanal in Brazil. What fun we had catching piranha with razor-sharp teeth. Angelika encouraged all four of our children to spend a year doing missions work in the South Pacific. They traveled to Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu. Angelika was happy that they could meet and help people from different cultures.
Angelika and I are very proud of each of our children. They are intelligent young people, with good character and compassion for others. Brian is studying for a degree in electrical engineering. Daniel is pursuing a career in acting. Atombo is working as a pastry chef, and is also an apprentice potter. Rebekah is pursuing a degree in Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality. Our children appreciate what their mother invested in them so that they could be the people they have become.
Angelika not only supported me with my mission, but she was involved in church activities herself. She contributed to the local church, helped with Women’s Federation for World Peace programs, and participated in the women’s registration blessing in Korea. She also received an inheritance from her parents that made it possible for us to make the Living Offering donation.
Angelika always loved being outdoors. She enjoyed gardening, hiking, and swimming. Her mother was a prize-winning gardener, and Angelika inherited her mother’s green thumb. During her daily 2-mile walk around the neighborhood park, she chatted with the neighbors she met along the way. Six months before her passing, she was still walking two miles every day. She and I enjoyed hikes up nearby Kennesaw Mountain. We traveled together when we could, and enjoyed visiting our infant grandson in England, hiking to the Katerskills Falls in the Hudson River Valley and swimming in the nearby lake, walking along the Southern rim of the Grand Canyon and sightseeing in the historic town of St. Augustine with its nearby beaches.
During the last five months of her life, Angelika was in constant pain, yet she never complained and remained cheerful. We are extremely glad that Brian, his wife, Joy and their one-year-old son, Isaac, could visit during Christmas. Angelika was thrilled to see our first grandchild, whom she loved dearly.
Her family and friends will miss her, but all are relieved that she is no longer in pain, and no longer suffering from being confined to an ailing physical body. We are grateful to our Heavenly Parent, and to Angelika, for her love, her life, and the many wonderful things we enjoyed together. She was, and will always be, a much-loved daughter, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother.
The Seonghwa Ceremony for Angelika will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 3, at Southern Cremations and Funerals located at 1861 Dallas Highway, S.W., Marietta, Georgia 30064. Instead of flowers, friends and family are invited to visit gofundme.com/vt78g-angelicas-medical-fund. They may also contact us directly at 269 Merrydale Drive, S.W., Marietta, Georgia 30064.
roberto turconi
| #
What a wonderful testimony and incredible life experience !!! I am sure our True Father is waiting for her in Heaven as he is for every member making the trip to our Eternal home !!! Thank you .
Reply
Jayne Kerr
| #
Tom, we all hope to live a life such as this. Dedication of love for True Parents and Heavenly Parents. True Love in action. Not all people can say they invested this much love for God, True Parents, spouse and children. Much love for you all. In love and light. Jayne
Reply
Keith Peter McCarthy
| #
This is a life well-lived! Thank you for the wonderful story that you created together, Tom. I know that Angelika must be a saint, having to put up with an ornery cuss like Tom (:-)
We send our deepest love, appreciation and sympathy to the Cutts family. As Roberto stated, God is totally excited to welcome such a precious, lovely daughter.
Love, life, and lineage.
Reply
Jim Caron
| #
Very sorry for your difficult loss Tom; We all send our love to you guys and your special precious saint-wife in her journey. The Carons in Maine
Reply
laura taylor hayashi
| #
Thank you, Tom! Such a beautiful testimony. I am sure she had “heard” it in heaven!
You have been a beautiful family, always showing a lot of love to our family. Many prayers for a heavenly transition, and that you can fine comfort of friends and God’s continued blessings
Call any time, for anything
Reply
Bruce Gordon
| #
A Beautiful testimony to a wonderful sister.
Reply
Marius Henry
| #
I have a assurance that she is Prodigal Parent in front of the Oneness White Throne of God and can help the other Angelika in MD ,just a other tragedy here after the Mrs Jones tragedy , God Bless her Family in the Mont Blanc Pen country
Reply
Peggy Brewster
| #
‘Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty she’s free at last”.My wish for all of you.
Reply
Edner Pierre-louis
| #
A heartfelt memorial from her husband, Tom. Angelika is a beautiful soul. I can’t say that I knew her well at all, meaning I never met her but once, and that was for a brief period in Vegas, an evening walk with others from True Parents’ home to IPEC. The roads were dark and we walked together side by side, chatting, talking about how we joined the church, our backgrounds and so forth. Ask me now the details of the conversation, I couldn’t recall, but what I do remember well was the feeling of it. Her sharing was from the heart, and I felt it. I still FEEL good remembering that conversation. We lost a beautiful soul too early. My prayers and condolences to Tom and the entire Cutts family.
Reply
Peggy Brewster
| #
‘Free at last,free at last,thank God Almighty,I’m free at last”. I wish the same for all of you,
‘Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty she’s free at last”.My wish for all of you.
Reply
Dennis Morrow
| #
I worked with Angelika when she and a few other newly matched German sisters joined our MFT region in Seattle. We were on the same team and I recall her steadiness and her pleasant nature as we traveled throughout the Northwest, including Alaska. Angelika exuded good humor and was unwavering in her faith. I have only fond memories and appreciation for her and I know her family finds comfort in the certainty of her new home with our TF.
Reply
Tom Cutts
| #
Hello, Dennis
Do you happen to have any photographs from your MFT days in the Seattle region – one’s that might have included Angelika? Do you recall any stories about her that you could share with her family. (tomcutts@comcast.net, and 404.307.1205)
Reply
Massimo
| #
The times I met Angelika left in my memories pleasure experiences and I will keep with me her smile, kindness and tolerance. As Minister I performed funerals and I want to use the word of the philosopher L. Ron Hubbard to say goodbye:
“Goodbye, Angelika.
Your people thank you for having lived
Earth is better for your having lived
Men, women and children are alive today
Because you lived.
We thank you for coming to us.
We do not contest your
Right to go away.
Your debts are paid.
This chapter of thy life is shut.
Go now, dear Angelika, and live once more
In happier time and place.
Thank you, Angelika.
Ciao Rev. Massimo
Reply
Rev. Massimo
| #
Dear Tom,
I will always remember the kindness, tolerance and smile of Angelika and as a Minister I would love to use few words of the philosopher L. Ron Hubbard to say goodbye to Angelika:
“Goodbye, Angelika.
Your people thank you for having lived
Earth is better for your having lived
Men, women and children are alive today
Because you lived.
We thank you for coming to us.
We do not contest your
Right to go away.
Your debts are paid.
This chapter of thy life is shut.
Go now, dear Angelika, and live once more
In happier time and place.
Thank you, Angelika.”
Reply
Mark Anderson
| #
Tom, May God be with you and your family at this difficult time. What a blessing to know that we will all see each other again on the other side. Angelika was a wonderful person and a blessing to many. Much love and prayers, Mark & Lucia
Reply
Neville and Judite Labrooy and
| #
Judite and I only know how wonderful Angelika was towards us. When you were regional director for the Southeast, we always looked forward to hearing from you and it was always wonderful when you brought Angelika. Thank you for all the love you and Angelika showered on us.
Reply
migliore gennaro
| #
Brother Cutts …. the physical body may not be seen anymore …. but …in our memories everything is still alive .
You are a lucky man … and Angelika a lucky woman ……. as it’s said in korean language …. Hananimul Pupurun Dalmassumnida – The couple resembles God …….
May God Bless you and your family .
Reply
Anne-Marie Mylar
| #
Thank you so much Tom for this wonderful life story. A wonderful life, well lived. A great example to follow. With gratitude,
Anne-Marie
Reply
Steven Harris
| #
Dear Tom, the transition is a sad time but is inevitable and leads to greater happiness. Tomoko and I are especially grateful to you and Angelika for raising Brian who is now a wonderful husband for Joy, and a loving father to Isaac. Sending you love and prayers, Steve and Tomoko.
Reply
Mike & Kati Brisebois
| #
You & your family r on inspiration for us!
May Angelica’s journey to Spirit World will be a sweet & smooth one.
God bless .
Reply
Julian Gray
| #
Dear Rev. Cutts,
Just to let you know I am thinking of you and your family at this time. Your dear wife must be a lovely soul. Your testimony to her was very moving. May God hold all your family together in one embrace.
Julian
Reply
Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw
| #
Rev. Cutts,
God be praised for the wonderful things He has done!!! On behalf of Brenda and I, I offer our most sincere condolences to your family and you in this time of loss…being mindful of the fact that your loss is heaven’s gain. As you share memories of her you’ll realize that her spirit is alive; she didn’t go away, she merely changed addresses. You WILL see her again. Blessings, strength, and peace to you, my friend.
Reply
Edward Taub
| #
Dear Tom,
I didn’t know your wife, but your testimony about her helped me feel close to her. I know you’ll miss her, but stay busy and let her guide you. Mother gave you the mission to restore Georgia, so keep at it. Our prayers are with you.
Reply
Valerie bradshaw tembo
| #
Dear Tom.
My family would like to express our condolences to you and your family at this time. I never had a mission with your wife ..I know that she was a wonderful sister but I was always impressed by your service and humility and whenever TP told you to jumped, you always asked how high. So thank you and your family for your sacrifice. TF needs all the good soldiers to help establish the KOH on earth.
Reply
Poppy richie
| #
Dear Tom, I never really had a chance to get to know Angelica, so it was very moving for me to read your story of her life. I think we could have been good friends with so many similar interests. I do believe that behind every good man is a strong and loving woman. You, Tom, are the evidence of Angelica’s outstanding character. You have been able to achieve great and heavenly accomplishments, and I think it has a lot to do with your awesome supportive wife, right?! Of course you will carry on here on earth, with Angelica keeping track of you and the kids from her beautiful life in spirit world. God bless your growing family!
Reply
Christiane Wagner
| #
Dear Tom,
I don‘t know you,but I was together with Angelika at school in Germany at in Emsdetten.
In the childhood we lived together.
I was called Kiki
I,km sad,that Ikm too late
Reply
Tom Cutts
| #
Hello, Christiane
I am sorry you didn’t get to speak with Angelika before she passed on. How interesting that you knew her during your childhood. Do you know Ruth and Renate? Angelika kept up with them through the years. We visited Emsdetten a number of times with the children. We really love your town. Especially the Stadtpark and the swimming pool. My email address is tomcutts@comcast.net.
Reply
Loxley
| #
Hi Rev cutts I’m sorry to hear about your wife I condolences go out to you and your family thank you for sharing this life story with me all the best to you and your family God bless you for everything that you do and keep being a champion for God
Reply
Christine Proffitt
| #
Beautiful testimony, to a wonderfully rich life! We are so blessed to have had this Soul in our midst!! We are ONE in eternal spirit. Our sister has joined the glory of Heaven, and her Love stays steadfast, embracing her family forever!!
Reply
Traudi
| #
Dear Rev. Cutts, our condolences go out to you and your beautiful family. We are so proud of
Angelica, her beautiful life we will always remember, her beautiful family she built and her beautiful spirit. God bless her!
Reply
David Eaton
| #
Tom,
Our prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for sharing.
Eaton Family
Reply
Therese Stewart
| #
Dear Tom,
Thank you for the beautiful testimony of your beloved Angelika. I look forward to meeting her in spirit world one day! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Reply
Alice Boutte
| #
Dear Tom and all the children,
You have all gone a long painful journey of gradually saying good-bye to Angelike. My heart goes out to all of you losing wife and mother too soon. She was a very faithful and calm soul and seemed to have learned to like/love everyone she met, including smiles that seemed to cover her whole face !
Sending prayers that you may all bond more deeply together in heart sharing such a loss and that all of your sacrifices and the children’s and Angelike’s will eventually give birth to new faith, hope and love for all of you, including Angelike in the world beyond.
Reply
Susie Katz
| #
Hi Rev Tom,
My condolences on the loss of a wonderful life partner. I appreciate you sharing the story of Angelika with me. With your great humility and service, I can only imagine the graces of your wife. My prayers are with you and your family.
Susie
Reply
Christine Webster
| #
Had the opportunity to work shortly together with Angelika in Germany.
Angelika made a lasting impression on me because of her endurance and wonderful character. Thank you Angelika.God bless shall not forget you.
Live in Scotland now.
Reply
Jerry Ciemny
| #
My dear friend Tom & Angelika,
I read your post right before entering work this morning. I stood outside overwhelmed by emotion for quite some time, unable to go in. I’m at a loss for words, but touched very deeply by your story.
I hope this comforts you::
Life: Given to us as by God as a gift of this world, to enjoy and be amazed and in wonder.
Love: As expressed in relationships with one another: spouse, family, friend.
Lineage: Your story and photos say it all! To impart values to those who come after you: Honesty, Faith, Integrity, Passion, Joy, Compassion, Service to others, etc. These are your lasting Legacy, your Lineage.
You (both) have achieved greatness in Gods’s eyes.
I’m sure Father is proud and happy for what you have done together.
Reply
Tom Cutts
| #
Thank you, Jerry, for your heartfelt remarks about life, love and lineage, and for your kind thoughts about Angelika and me. I know we weren’t so great, but I am reminded of one leaders words about being “ideal” couples… “I.. deal” with my spouse. My daughter’s martial arts instructed gave internal guidance to the students recently that I really appreciated. He told the students to be respectful and grateful to their sparring partners, for without their partners they would have to practice alone, and wouldn’t improve so quickly. During her week of final struggle, I tearfully repented to God and to Angelika that I hadn’t appreciated her life and her love enough, and for having a good sparring partner.
Reply
Lucy
| #
Dear Tom,
We are so sorry about the passing of your wife.
With Love, Jim and Lucy Borer
Reply
Cook
| #
Tom, we love you and your family. You always will be in our hearts.
Reply
Cindy Olah
| #
My deepest condolences to your family. I had the pleasure of getting to know Angelika a little when she would come to yoga classes. She was always a treat to have in class. Wishing you and your family the best!
Reply
Jennifer Hernandez
| #
I am so very sorry to learn about your loss. I vividly remember Angelika’s smile, her love for her family, and her constant support of MCAA. I hope that you feel the support of family and friends and the love of God as He wraps his arms around each of you.
Reply
Janet Robbins
| #
Tom, thank you for sharing such a loving testimony of your wife’s deep joy in living for God. I am sorry that I did not have the blessing of knowing her personally. You and your children have a lifetime of memories to bring you comfort until you are with Angelika once again. Thank you Heavenly Father that she suffers no more, but can live in pure joy and love. God bless you and your family.
Reply
Brenda Cobb
| #
Tom, we are all remembering you and your family in our prayers and we know that Angelika is in God’s loving arms. We appreciate the time that we got to know both you and Angelika and to have the privilege of helping her during her health issues. She was a blessing in many people’s lives and in all of our lives. Sending you much Love and Many Blessings, Brenda Cobb and all of the Living Foods Institute Staff.
Reply
Karin Wilson
| #
Dear Tom,
Even though I can’t be there tomorrow at Angelika’s Seeonghwa Ceremony, my heart and thoughts will be with all of you.
I think of Angelika every day and wish her God’s eternal and highest blessing.
Reply
MICHAEL DRAKE
| #
Dear Tom,
I know this is late but I do want to offer my condolences in regards to Angelika’s passing. As you may know, Evelyne passed to spirit world on Sept. 1, 2018 after a battle with leukemia. I hope and pray they can be close and help True Father finish building God’s kingdom. God bless.
Reply