Sophie HOFSTADER

1927 - 2021

SOPHIE HOFSTADER MD, FRCPC November 6, 1927 - December 14, 2021 Trailblazer, academic, mentor, inspiration. Sophie passed away peacefully at home at the age of 94 on Tuesday, December 14 with her two devoted daughters, Lili and Arlene, at her side. Sophie had a brilliant mind and unrivalled determination that would serve her well throughout her long life. She was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1927 to parents, Ida and Adam Ratinow. At 16, she entered medical school, looking to follow in her father's footsteps. Hoping to start a new life in Canada in the aftermath of World War II, the family finally obtained immigration visas with only three months left of Sophie's medical degree. They arrived in Toronto in 1948 and, intent on completing her degree in short order, she discovered that, in the words of the admissions faculty, she would never be admitted to a Canadian medical school as a foreigner and a woman. Sophie defiantly answered that she didn't intend to be a foreigner for long, but a woman she would remain. Shortly after her arrival in Toronto, Sophie met Emeric, a fellow immigrant and medical student from Hungary. Romance blossomed (using their limited English as their only shared language). They were married in August 1950 and immediately set off to Dalhousie University where Emeric had been admitted to medical school. Three years later, through sheer persistence and grit, Sophie too gained acceptance in the program, graduating in 1956, the only female in her class. Sophie enjoyed 11 years of family practice in Scarborough in the 1950s and '60s, delivering over 4000 babies in the growing community, and fulfilling her duties at Scarborough General Hospital, all the while bringing up two young daughters. Fortunately, she could function effectively on very little sleep and had a devoted husband who supported her ambitions and was more than prepared to do his fair share on the home-front. At age 40, Sophie left her booming practice to return to University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine for four gruelling years in post graduate training in Dermatology. A passionate academic and astute diagnostician, she was recognized in the city for her ability to solve challenging cases. She also took great pleasure in mentoring medical residents and lecturing as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Dermatology at U of T. She spent the majority of her career as an active and well-respected staff member at Women's College Hospital and at the Scarborough General until her retirement at the age of 88. In 2010, Sophie was awarded Practitioner of the Year by the Canadian Dermatology Foundation and in 2015, she was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame. She was an eternal optimist, always eager to learn and explore. Despite several hardships in her life, she remained stoic. Never one for self pity, she would rise up and face each day with curiosity and purpose. Sophie believed strongly in living a life of service. She and Emeric travelled to almost every continent where they helped in local hospitals and embraced new cultures and made enduring friendships. There is no doubt that Sophie left this world a better place. She touched countless lives, none more than her two daughters in whom she instilled a strong sense of feminism, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness and zest for life. Sophie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Emeric, in 2016. She leaves to mourn her two daughters, Lili (the late Jay Gillespie), Arlene (David Eckler); five grandchildren whom she loved so much, Sean (Alanna), Jackie (Alex), Isabelle (David), Alex (Camila), Natalie (Glen); and two great-grandchildren, Jay and Lucy, who filled her with immense joy. She will continue to inspire us all to follow our dreams. Due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns, there will be no memorial reception at this time. Should you feel inclined, donations may be made in her memory to the Scarborough Hospital Foundation, and directed to Medical Imaging, tel.: 416 431-8130, foundation@shn.ca.