We grieve at the loss of such great and strong woman, Lisa Derman, and would like to share some memories.
We first met her and Aron at the Seder at my cousin Orah’s apartment in Chicago on April 8, 1982. It was our second day in the USA after we left the former Soviet Union. We knew their story of survival during the Holocaust from her, her relatives and from the latest film shown on PBS TV channel about her and Aron trip to Poland.
In 1982 Lisa and Aaron arranged the trip of their rescuer/righteous Tadik from Poland to Chicago. We invited him for dinner in our apartment at North Shore Street. During the dinner he recalled various episodes of their rescue.
We met their sons Daniel, medical student, in Chicago in 1982 and Gordi in Ann Arbor, MI in 1983 where he was a resident in medical school. We met Daniel and Gorgi with families on many occasions celebrating Jewish Holidays and Bat Mitzvah.
Our deepest Condolences to all Derman’s family,
Matus and Victoria Stolov.

I AM SO SADDENED BY LISA'S PASSING. SHE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART AND IN MY PRAYERS. SHE CAME TO COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BUFFALO GROVE SO MANY TIMES AND SHE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES BY HER PRESENCE AND HER STORY.THANK YOU LISA, YOU LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS.YOUR FRIEND, BONNIE BYRNE

Dear Aron and Family,
I was very saddened to hear of Lisa's passing. It truly takes a remarkable woman to do what she has done-to tell and retell her story. She always had a captive audience. My thoughts are with all of you at this time May her memory be for a blessing.

Dr. Gordon Derman,
I received an e-mail from my mother in New Mexico, and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a lady your mother was - and what an impact she made!(all over the country!) That is quite a tribute to her legacy.
Fondly,
Alison Smetana

I was deeply saddened to hear about Lisa's passing. She truly made a lasting impression on me when she and Aaron accompanied my Shorashim group to Poland during the summer of 1993. Her story will live on through me and many others.

I remember hearing Lisa's story for the first time at Camp Tavor back around 1978. I will never forget how quiet a dining room full of campers got. I among all the campers were taken to tears by Lisa's story. We will never forget.

our Love and prayers to all your family.

I was 14 when I heard Mrs. Derman tell her story. I was deeply moved by what she told all of us that day, and three years later, it still stays with me. I want to extend my greatest sympathies to the Derman family for their loss.

I am truly sorry that her family and our world has lost this amazing woman. Her story will live on through others who were privileged enough to hear her tell it on Sunday afternoon. Just before she told her story, she gave me a gift to use with my students: it was two bibliographies of holocaust materials. She had heard my students tell stories and she wanted me to have those resources to use with my students. I knew her only for thirty minutes, but her final gift of two books and her story will forever inspire me. Her story will never be forgotten.

We were shocked and saddened by Lisa's sudden death. She was an inspiration to all of us. We will always remember her sensitivity and strength as she told her remarkable story to the children in our school. May her memory be for a blessing.

Lisa will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. She made an invaluable contribution by sharing her story of her own Holocaust experience and her leadership of the Holocaust Foundation of Illinois.

We grieve at the loss of this beautiful soul. We met the Derman's in connection with our son Mike's Shorshim experience in Poland and Israel. The Derman's went back to guide our kids and remember the legacy of evil that they had survived. The wisdom and sensitivity of the Derman's has inspired us all. Lisa was a woman of Valor. Thank You- Lord G-d of Israel for the gift of her life.

I was moved by the picture of Lisa Derman and her husband in the Chicago Tribune, as well as the story of her life. She was an amazing woman and is to be admired not only for her courage but also the contributions she made as President of The Holocost Memorial Foundation of Illinois. I offer my condolences to her entire family and want to express my sorrow for all she, her parents, and her siblings suffered in the past. You are in my prayers.

Mary Kennedy

I recognized Mrs. Derman's name and upon reading her obituary, I have very clear memories of her coming to my Junior High eleven years ago to share her story. I know what a powerful and moving speaker she was, not just to those of us who were Jewish, but to everyone present. Her family should certainly be extremely proud of the life she led. My sincere condolences to you all.

I had the honor of hearing Lisa and Aron's story first hand in Poland in 1993. Their strength as a couple is truly remarkable and inspiring.
My thoughts are with Aron and the Derman family.

I was present when Lisa told her story for the last time. I sat rivited in my seat as she told her story of escaping the Ghetto by train.

My prayers go out to her family. I knew her only through her story, but I will remember her for a lifetime.

My wife Amy Wagner and I were sorry to hear of Lisa Derman's passing. Her son Daniel is our doctor. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa and her husband at the Holocost Museum in Skokie where I learned that she actually knew some of my grandmothers' family back in Poland. She was an inspiration to us all. We offer our deepest sympathy to the entire Derman family.

I was present as Lisa told her story that one last time. I feel particularly blessed to have heard her tell it and will pass her story along with the integrity and grace with which she passed it to those of us present.

She was a great and strong woman and I will hold her in my heart always as I hold those of you closest to her in the light at this saddest of times.

My Deepest Condolences,
Corinne Davis

We are so saddened by Lisa's sudden passing. Over the years, we have felt so close to Lisa and Aron due to their great warmth and giving of themselves to our community. We offer our deepest sympathy to the entire Derman family.