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BORN

1917

DIED

2016

Catherine Sugarman Obituary

1917 - 2016
Catherine (Katie) Sugarman, nee Katerina Marianne Hirsch, died peacefully at home in Boca Raton, Florida, with her husband, Harry, at her side on, August 27, 2016.

Born July 25, 1917, in Stuttgart, Germany, she was the second child of Marta and Siegfried Hirsch. After the Nuremberg Laws of 1935 made it impossible for Jews like Katie and her brother Helmut (known as Helle) to attend university, the family moved to Prague. It was there that Helle became involved in anti-Nazi activities. Implicated in a plot to bomb Nazi Party headquarters in Nuremberg, he was tried in a secret court and sentenced to death. Katie abandoned her medical studies, devoting herself to saving his life.

Despite the efforts of Ambassador William Dodd and others, Helle was executed in June 1937, which ironically probably saved the lives of Katie and her parents, who were granted special entry to the U.S., arriving in New York in April 1938. Needing to support her heartbroken parents and establish a new life in America, Katie gave up her dream of becoming a doctor and enrolled in the Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing, earning BS and RN degrees in 1941. Upon graduation, she worked as a visiting nurse with the Henry Street Settlement, caring for indigent immigrant families on New York's Lower East Side. That same year, she married Dr. Norman Kelman, with whom she had three children: Peter, Barbara (Ravage), and David. She served as founding president of the Karen Horney Clinic, which opened in NYC in 1955 and continues to offer low-cost psychotherapeutic services. The family moved to Westport, Connecticut, in 1956. After her divorce from Norman in 1961, Katie began a new career as a fundraiser, first with the Anti-Defamation League and then with Brandeis University, from which she retired in 1980.

In 1968, she married Harry Sugarman. Katie and Harry had an enduring love and rewarding life filled with international travel, close friendships, and philanthropic activities for such organizations as Brandeis University, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and The Israel Tennis Centers, a social service organization for children in Israel of all religions and ethnicities. In addition to Harry and her children, Katie is survived by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two stepsons, Michael and Steve Sugarman.

Katie never forgot Helle and his sacrifice. She was a source of information to writers and filmmakers who wished to tell Helle's story to future generations. Katie herself lived as Helle had urged her in a letter he wrote to his family after he was sentenced to death: "[Katie] shall enjoy threefold what I have missed and she shall always remember that she is living for me too." May she rest in peace, joined in spirit with her parents and her most beloved brother.

A private memorial is planned for a later date. Gifts in Katie's memory may be sent to The Katie and Harry Sugarman Scholarship Fund, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Sep. 2 to Sep. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Catherine Sugarman

Sponsored by her daughter, Barbara Ravage.

Not sure what to say?





HOLLY SCHWARTZTOL

August 27, 2023

I still remember Katie very fondly from my early childhood summers in Westport. Wish I´d known her after those years.
Love to Peter, Barbara and David.

Caron Shutan

October 27, 2017

I had the pleasure of getting to know Katie and Harry ten years ago when I moved to Florida and worked in fundraising. They are both very special individuals and their love story unforgettable. I learned of Katie's passing more recently and will say that she was an example of courage, generosity and kindness. May her memory forever be a blessing.

Holly Wechsler Schwartztol

March 24, 2017

I have been thinking about all those wonderful early years in the 1950s on Danbury Avenue. It occurred to me to look up Katie and was sorry to find her here. However, I should not be surprised as that was all a very long time ago. My sympathies go to all the children.

Ann and Arie. Ilton

October 5, 2016

Katie was my dear friend and we were neighbors we became like family and were aware of the passage of time and the rich things in our lives as well as the tragedies my husband and I and I loved both Katie and Harry and were blessed to be a part of the lives

Maureen Stockwell

September 6, 2016

VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER

Bea Sennewald

September 4, 2016

Barbara, Peter and David,
you had a remarkable mother.

Charlie Taylor

September 4, 2016

Peter, your mothers life inspires me today. Peace and love to your family and you.

Peter Silver

September 4, 2016

Peter, My heart goes out to you and your family

Sam Sills

September 3, 2016

Peter, what an exemplary life your mother lived. Chris and I are thinking of you.

Cynthia Vos

September 3, 2016

She was quite an inspiring woman. Sorry for your loss Peter and family.

Mary Anderson

September 3, 2016

Our hearts are with you and your family doing this sad time,

Pamela Barkentin

September 3, 2016

I send my heartfelt condolences to Peter, Barbara, David, Mr. Sugerman and all family and friends of Katie Sugerman. I remember her well from my childhood in Westport. What an amazing life, lived with courage and dedication to what is right. I am so sorry to know the sadness and hardship she had to bear.

Melody James

September 3, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss.

September 3, 2016

Roberta and Robert Kannall

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