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Teresa Fischlowitz Obituary
Teresa was a child Holocaust survivor. Her family was among 1,500 prisoners released in exchange for valuables taken from wealthy Hungarian families. Teresa lived in Switzerland, Hungary, and Venezuela, before settling in the United States. She attended school in six languages on three continents and finally finished high school in Los Angeles.
After winning an opera competition while at UCLA, Teresa had a brief career with the New York City Opera. Keeping her love of opera, she decided a teaching career was more to her liking. In 1967 Teresa was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship at the John F. Kennedy school in Berlin. There she met Dieter Hellmiss. They married in 1968 in Berlin, and after returning to Los Angeles, she and Dieter had two sons, Richard and Robert. Dieter died of cancer in 1979, and Teresa raised her two sons on her own. Teresa eventually married Merle Fischlowitz in 1991. Teresa and Merle were both highly involved in San Diego's classical music and Jewish communities.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 pm, March 12, at Temple Adat Shalom in Poway. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to San Diego Opera, Mainly Mozart, or Cygnet Theatre.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Teresa Fischlowitz
3 Entries
Sarah B Marsh-Rebelo
March 12, 2023
In memory of a most charming and kind woman who brought her talent to the stage of San Diego Opera and her graciousness to the board room. Teresa is missed. We thank her for the time she gave to the Opera and for her constant support.
Sarah B Marsh-Rebelo Chairwoman San Diego Opera
Frank Luzzaro
March 6, 2023
Richard,
I am so sorry to learn of your mom's passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Your mom was a very special person. I will always remember her for bringing a San Diego Opera performance to our school many years ago. The students will never forget that, and neither will I nor the members of my family who attended.
I'm certain there are many more who have been touched by her generosity, kindness, and passion for opera.
May you hold many loving memories of her in your heart.
Aline King
March 2, 2023
We had such fun with the San Diego Opera Puppetry outreach and then in years later as the puppeteers lunched together a few times a year. Teresa was a lovely hostess and had us to her home many times. Blessings to family and friends.
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