Magda Hammer

Magda Hammer, age 88, resident of Newton, Boca Raton, and New York.

Beloved mother of Laurie and Michael Hammer, and grandmother of Daniel and Adam Bear.

Born in Hungary, she and her brother Naftali survived the Holocaust when most of her family perished.  She emigrated to New York City, and went on to live on Long Island, the Berkshires, and Boca Raton with her husband of 44 years, Aaron.  Despite her Holocaust history, and many other challanges over the years, her spirit and resourcefulness endured.  She was a devoted and generous mother and grandmother who retained a youthful energy all of her life.  A self-described “seeker”, she read extensively, took courses, travelled, and became self educated in her various interests and endeavors.  Always athletic, she walked, swam and taught water aerobics and yoga into her mid- 80’s.  She shared her love of art, nature, gardening and cooking with her friends and her daughter.

In 1995, Magda was finally able to tell her story to the Shoah Foundation, and went on to speak to middle and high school students in Florida about her Holocaust experiences. In 2000, at the age of 75. she went on “The March of the Living” tour to Polish concentration camp sites and Israel with a group of high school students. Her ability to face this chapter in her past and finally say goodbye to her parents and brothers was a testament to her remarkable courage and resilience.

Mom, you will always be an enduring, radiant spirit.  We love you and miss you.

Remembrances may be made to The Hospice of the Good Shepherd (www.hospicegoodshepherd.org) and The United States Holocaust Museum (www.ushmm.org).