Obituary for Andrea Hähn
12 May 1965 – 16 November 2025
It is difficult for us to find words for something that cannot really be put into words. Our dear colleague Andrea Hähn has passed away completely unexpectedly, and with her we have lost someone who shaped our palliative care department for many years.
Andrea was a dietician, at least according to her official job description. However, those who knew her know that she regularly and happily ignored this title and referred to herself as a ‘food witch’. She was much more than that: a listener, a source of support, an encourager, a comforter, and sometimes even a kind of ‘temporary’ family member.
It was natural for her to turn her attention to the weak. And so it came to pass that she often sat at the patient's bedside beyond the scope of nutritional counselling. With her subtle humour, gentle persistence and warmth, Andrea achieved something rare: she made people laugh, even in difficult moments.
Sometimes a wry remark or a heartfelt ‘Oh come on, let's try again’ was enough. Andrea had a special way of approaching people, regardless of their background or biography.
Her death has affected us deeply. It came so unexpectedly that we are only slowly beginning to realise what we have lost. We think back on our encounters with her, our conversations and memories, and we realise how much we will miss her.
Eva Katharina Masel on behalf of the palliative care team 17K