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ALEXANDRA SICHEL Obituary

SICHEL--Alexandra "Alex", passed away peacefully on June 23rd after three years of courageous fight with breast cancer. Born on July 31st, 1963, in Manhattan, Alex is survived by her husband, Erich Hahn Jr., her beloved daughter, Anastasia, her parents, Peter and Stella Sichel, and two sisters, Bettina and Sylvia. She adored them all. Alex was a gifted director and writer who worked in film, documentary and television. She directed and wrote (with her sister Sylvia) the much-lauded feature film, All Over Me (1996), and her short film, Amnesia (1992) won top honors at numerous festivals. Alex's other films included Tree Shade (1998) and Anemone Me (1990). At the time of her death, Alex was finishing a feature-length hybrid documentary about her struggle to come to terms with her illness. A beloved professor, Alex taught directing at NYU and Columbia. She received Macdowell and Yaddo Fellowships, was a member of the Directors Guild of America, and earned an M.F.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from Brown University. A long-time practitioner of Buddhism, Alex was a pioneering, compassionate and brave soul, and she was blessed by a large number of loving friends and family who helped her enjoy life and ease her death. If a will could cure, Alex would have been cured. There will be a memorial service on September 20th at 3:00pm at The Lafayette Presbyterian Church 85 South Oxford Street in Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to "Women Make Movies/ The Movie About Anna" or the Kadampa Meditation Center in New York City.

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 13, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for ALEXANDRA SICHEL

16 Entries

Jim Hart

July 7, 2022

Long may Alex run. The Sichel memories are embedded and cherished by the Hart Family. Being present as the girls grew up and manifesting their many talents rubbed off on our own. Never forget.

James V Hart

July 7, 2020

I had the good fortune of living at 110 East 70th with Judy and both Jake and Julia were born during our residence there. Needless to say Alex and Sylvia and Bettina in their early years of growing up made the experience complete. Alex and Sylvia were already writers and creators and exhibiting their talents early on. Alex had that free spirit about her even then in manner and dress and always with a mysterious smile that said "I know the secrets of the Universe." So many memories as the girls grew up during our stay at 110 where we lived until 1982. My least memory of Alex is seeing her marching in an anti-nuke peace parade up Fifth Ave. We spotted each other and she broke ranks to give me a rally pin. I was very proud to see her courageous filmmaking break ground with her feature debut. Such a bright and bold light and voice for female writer/directors. Who knew when the Sichel girls were babysitting Jake and Julia that our daughter would grow up to be a writer/director in her own right. Our days at 110 were magic and Alex was certainly woven into the tapestry of thos memories. Long may she run.

Renata & Jack Schwebel

August 5, 2014

With heartfelt sympathy,

jv hart

August 1, 2014

The Sichel family embraced the Harts at 110 E. 70th St. We were blessed with the presence of Seaside, Alex and Tina as our babysitters for Jake and Julia. Alex is and always will be marching at the head of the parade for a humane cause that benefits others. She will is and always will be the light at the end of the tunnel. Long may she dah doo run run.

Kim Kelly

July 30, 2014

To lose a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a friend... she has touched so many. I hope good memories will ease the sadness of this great loss.

July 28, 2014

Alex you were a true pioneer, a great colleague, and role model for future filmmakers. May you always ride with the wind!
Bette Gordon

July 27, 2014

Condolences to the Sichel family
Robert Shack , New York NY

Alexandra Johnes

July 24, 2014

I was a child actress and auditioned for Alex & Sylvia for "All Over Me." I remember them both very well and have tracked their successes over the years. Having transitioned from acting to documentary filmmaking (where I also worked with my sister), I was so excited to see that Alex was making a doc but didn't look closer to read about the subject of the project until now. I am so saddened about her passing. I barely knew her but she certainly left a mark on me. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Sending love love love love to all.

Cindy Chastain

July 20, 2014

I was deeply saddened to learn of Alex's passing from a mutual friend this weekend. It's been some time since I've seen her, an old friend from our film days at Columbia, but I will always remember her winning openness, generosity, curiosity and talent. She was a very special woman. My heart goes out to her family for this tragic loss. I'm guessing Alex was heroic until the end.

Michael Radomsky, Sr.

July 16, 2014

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Kananshree Prasse

July 15, 2014

We all are so sadden by this loss to our community.
Alex have been inspiring friend for the short time I have known her. A clear thinker, sympathetic and generous friend and an amazing parent.
Our thoughts are with the family, Erich and Anastesia

Clarinda Mac Low

July 15, 2014

Dear Ales - We will miss your bright light in the world. I wish I had spent more time with your while I could, but I feel very grateful that I got to be your friend. All my love to your wonderful family.

Andrew S.E. Erickson

July 14, 2014

I am so sad to hear of Alex's passing. She was a wonderful person, a brilliant person, a candle in this darkness of life. I went to school with her many years ago and haven't seen her in many many years -- but am so saddened to hear of her passing. My condolences to her family and friends

July 14, 2014

Our thoughts are with you, Renata & Jack

July 14, 2014

Renata Miller

July 13, 2014

My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Alex, especially her wonderful family. I had the good fortune to work on a magazine with Alex in NYC many years ago; she was interning for the summer, and although our time thinking up headlines together was brief, she made a lasting and glowing impression as an extremely intelligent, creative, funny, beautiful & -- despite this surfeit of gifts -- modest and self-deprecating young woman. I will continue to think of Alex in her high tops and cropped hair with much love, and I grieve her death with a heavy heart.

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