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BORN

1923

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Miles Funeral Home

1158 Main St

Holden, Massachusetts

Thea Aschkenase Obituary

Thea Aschkenase, 95

Worcester - Thea (Obarzanek) Aschkenase, 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2019 under the loving care of her family and the compassionate staff at Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care in Wisconsin. Thea was born in Munich Germany and lived there with her parents, Samuel and Adele Obarzanek, and her younger brother Emanuel. In the late 1930's, because of the rise of the Nazis, the family was forced to move to Italy, where they remained in hiding for over 4 years.

The family was eventually discovered and transported to Auschwitz concentration camp. Upon arrival at Auschwitz, the SS officer Josef Mengele put each member of Thea's family into separate lines. Thea pulled her mother to her line, thereby saving her mother from dying in the crematorium. The other members of her family did not survive.

Thea and her mother were liberated by the Soviet Army in 1945, and eventually made their way to Palestine. She met and married her husband Efraim in 1948. In 1954, after emigrating to the US, Thea and her family settled in Worcester, MA.

Thea was a tender, caring and passionate daughter, wife and mother and a loving and doting grandmother. She created a warm and happy home and put her children first. She was a loyal, caring and devoted friend. Thea always made time for her family and friends, even at the very end of her life.

Thea's life mission was to be a voice of remembrance of the Holocaust. She spent the past two decades giving talks to school children in the Worcester area public schools, telling them about her experiences. She published her memoir at age 92: Remembering: A Holocaust Survivor Shares her Life.

She also made it her mission to help others. As part of her connection with the Intergenerational Urban Institute at Worcester State University, from which she graduated with a degree in Urban Studies in her early 80s, Thea volunteered to help hungry children and adults gain access to nutritious food. In recognition of all of her work to feed the hungry, Worcester State University's recently opened pantry was named "Thea's Pantry".

Thea is survived by her loving children Lea and her husband, Tom of Madison, Wisconsin and Steven and his fiancée, Jill of Chicago, IL, and her adoring grandchildren, Therese, Alexis and Anders.

Thea touched so many lives, and she will live in our hearts forever.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Sunday, March 31, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden under the direction of Richard Perlman. Burial will follow at B'nai Birth cemetery in Worcester. Memorial contributions can be made to: www.Food4TI.org (a nonprofit developed in Thea's honor to feed low income Madison WI students and their families) or Thea's Pantry at Worcester State University (checks made payable to Worcester State Foundation), University Advancement, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602.

www.milesfuneralhome.com

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Mar. 27 to Mar. 28, 2019.
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I first heard Thea speak at the Beaman Library in West Boylston and I corresponded with her afterwards. What an amazing soul and she was so inspiring to me. I'm grateful to continue to be able to share her memoir with my high school students in Millbury, MA. My condolences to her family- Barb Kallin, West Boylston, MA

Barbara Kallin

May 7, 2019

Thea graciously and stoically shared of her experience during the WWII Holocaust with students at Shrewsbury High School and so moved them with her candor, relatability, and love.
I'll never forget her kindness, generosity, and forthrightness. Every person should strive to be more like Thea Aschkenase. She was absolutely delightful and represented the best of humanity, as we must all never forget.

Lauren Cacela

May 7, 2019

I just recently read her book and so wanted to meet her. I left for Poland the day before she passed. I thought of her so much while I was there. I am heartbroken that the world has lost this beautiful soul. Prayers to her family. Rest In Peace Thea.

April 8, 2019

So grateful to have known Thea.
She was an inspiration to me during my internship at WSU Urban Studies.
Will always remember her with great fondness.

Barbara Lucci

March 31, 2019

Heartfelt sympathies to the family. Mrs. Aschkenase was so very kind. She helped me realize what the Nazis did, in real time so to speak. She was the mother of my sister' s friend and so I got to speak with her out side of the classroom. She was a lovely person and I'm sure she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Tobey Burwick

March 30, 2019

Thea was a lovely and gentle woman, one who bravely gave so much of herself to our community members of all ages. Whether it was teaching a program at the Torathon evening of study or participating in the Yom HaShoah observance or overcoming her personal pain to share her story with students, she made sure that we could all see the personal side of the Holocaust. It wasn't just about "the six million" but it was about individual people, real people with names and stories and losses. She also showed them - and all of us - her extraordinary grace and calm and humor and strength. I will never forget her, and I know that her memory will be a blessing for all of us. My condolences to her family, whom she loved so very much.

Diane Brown

March 28, 2019

One of my most cherished and treasured memories of my life will remain meeting Thea when she visited our church in Madison, WI. Just to touch the hand of a person who survived the atrocities of the Nazis was a great honor. I am thankful to have had some time with her and Lea, albeit brief. What a sweet, kind, and wonderfully warm woman! Her name will be forever in our church with our "Thea's Table" outreach. God bless each of you she leaves behind. Their story will not be forgotten....

Laurie Peterson

March 28, 2019

So sorry to Thea's family. She was a gentle and kind soul despite all that she had endured. She gave so much of herself to educate our community here in Central Mass. She will be missed. Rest in peace dear Thea.

Mindy Hall

March 28, 2019

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Miles Funeral Home

1158 Main St, Holden, MA 01520

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Miles Funeral Home

1158 Main St, Holden, MA 01520

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