Hilde Schocken Mann

Hilde Schocken MANN Born February 8, 1918 in Bremerhaven, Germany, Hilde passed away gently in Seattle, Sunday morning, August 12, 2007 after a short illness. Her spirit was so vibrant and her physical health so strong that everyone thought she'd live forever. Fortunately for all her extended family at The Summit and relatives everywhere all the way to Israel her girlish enthusiasm for life was enjoyed up until the last couple of months when she suddenly and rapidly declined. Youngest child of Julius and Jeannette Schocken, Hilde survived Kristallnacht and watching her brother, Henry being taken that night to a concentration camp near Berlin (Sachsenhausen.) They were later able to buy his release and two single visas to be used promptly and immigrated to America in 1939. Hilde was only 20. She had already spent a very lonely year in a Swiss boarding school at her family's insistence due to the empowerment of the Nazis. Hilde's older sister, Edith and her mother could not get visas as many of that generation experienced and therefore did not make it out. Hilde never considered herself a survivor (for good or bad) and had no bitterness for anyone. In Renton, Washington Hilde met her future husband, Hans Mann from Vienna who caught the last boat out from Helsinki. He realized wisely that obtaining a visa in a country of relatively few Jews would be easier. When they met, he was living in Spokane working as an electrician. On weekends, he made the long drive over the mountains to meet young Jewish women! In 1941 they had a double wedding with her brother, Henry Schocken and Ruth Hamlet who remained Hilde's dear friend all these 66 years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hans in 1980, cherished daughter, Janet in 1987 and close brother, Henry in 1973. Survivors include her son, Chai Mann and his wife, Joy and 3 wonderful grandchildren, Zena Reichert and her husband, Nick, Zoey and Zach Mann as well as her adorable great grandchildren, Michael, Emma and Daniel Reichert. She will be missed greatly by her loving nephews and nieces, Joe Schocken (wife, Judy), Alan Schocken (wife, Jane), Barbara Lahav (husband, Eli) and Miriam Elyashiv (husband, Harry) and all their children. It was difficult NOT to feel close to Hilde and everyone she crossed paths with provided her with the large family she so enjoyed. Once again she will be missed by her adoring friends all of them extended family in her heart. Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at Butterworth/Arthur Wright Chapel on Queen Anne Hill - 520 West Raye Street. Burial to follow at Hills of Eternity. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to Jewish Family Services at 1601 16th Ave, Seattle 98122 or The Summit at First Hill, 1200 University Street, Seattle, 98101 or the charity of your choice.