A Holocaust survivor.
Maria DZIEWINSKI Obituary
DZIEWINSKI, Maria Maria Geitler Dziewinski, born January 16, 1925 in Krakow Poland, died March 22, 2016 at home, surrounded by loving family. Maria, daughter of Szymon (Simon) and Razsel (Rosalyn) (nee Rosenzweig) survived the Holocaust. In 1939, at the age of 14, she, her parents, sister Sonia and brother Poldek were forced into the ghetto in Krakow. Because of her small delicate hands (as she liked to say) she was forced to work in a garment repair factory, mending German uniforms. All the workers were women, working from daylight until it was too dark to see, then sleeping by their worktables, on the floor. When the operation was closed down, the Nazi captain made them stand next to their worktables while he walked behind them, shooting every other woman in the back of the head. The survivors were sent back to the ghetto. In winter 1941, the Nazis rounded up Maria, Sonia and their family and put them on a truck to Plaszow, the concentration camp nearest Krakow. Germans "selected" workers to one line and those not deemed capable or suitable of work to another line. Maria was directed to one line, her mother, father, brother and sister to the other line. In the tumult of the night, she grabbed her sister into her line. They never saw their mother, father or brother again, and it is presumed they were sent to a death camp. Maria and Sonia survived Krakow-Plaszow Camp, working at various sites. Sometimes they were forced to break rocks and headstones from the Jewish cemeteries into gravel to be used on roadwork. (Much of this time is documented at the www.ushmm.org website as well as Wikipedia. Plaszow is the camp depicted in Schindler's List, which Maria and her beloved husband, Herman, both agreed was very accurate and truthful.) Herman Dziewinski, of blessed memory, and Maria met at Plaszow. He was working in the stables and soldiers' kitchens. Because of his position, he was able to sneak food to Maria and many others, which was punishable by death if he were discovered. Maria and Herman fell in love there and pledged to meet at the end of the war, if they survived. In winter 1944, Maria and Sonia were sent to Auschwitz. Once again, they were chosen for the work line rather than the gas chambers. Maria's registration number, tattooed on her arm, is A27373, as documented by the records still available at Auschwitz. Conditions were even worse than Plaszow, with horrible lack of hygiene, and threat of starvation. In late 1944 Maria and Sonia were sent to Sudetenland and worked in a munitions factory. They were liberated there in early 1945. Maria began her search for Herman; they reunited and fled west, and were sent to a Displaced Persons camp near Munich. There they married, reunited with remaining family and in July 1946, their first child, Erna was born. They lived in Germany until 1949 when, through the auspices of the American Jewish Federation, they were able to come to the US. Maria, Herman and Erna sailed into Boston Harbor in October 1949 on the SS General Hersey. They soon settled in Atlanta and were helped in many ways by many Jewish Atlantans, with lodging, work, language, possessions. Rosie (Rosalyn) was born in April 1950 at Crawford Long Hospital. Herman began working as a butcher and counterman in a small grocery store. Maria was at his side every day, running the front of the store, keeping the books and taking care of customers. Over time, with tremendous effort, they saved enough to buy the store, Herman's Market on Magnolia Street. Their continued hard work and devotion led them to some wise, and some lucky investments in real estate in the growing city of Atlanta. Maria and Herman started investing with other survivors and then with family who moved to Atlanta with their help. They were proud to be a part of the tremendous growth of Atlanta, and to help other new immigrant families and survivors. Susan was born in December 1953. Maria was proud that she "went to Emory" for her ESL classes. She and Erna learned English from ESL, TV, and movies. Maria wanted to be as American as possible, did not want her children to learn other languages at home, and insisted they speak English. She volunteered at Grady Hospital for more than 25 years, receiving many plaques and awards of appreciation. She was generous with Hadassah, Ahavath Achim Synagogue (was a member of the sisterhood), Hemschech, Jewish Federation, and Yad Vashem, remembering the help and assistance she received. A fashionable lady, she loved to shop, dress up for special occasions and dress her girls. Maria and Herman were founding members of Hemschech, the local Holocaust Survivors Association and helped to fund the Holocaust Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the first such structures in the US, it is a National Historic Site. This memorial was so important to Maria, as the only place in the world her parents and brother are memorialized. Maria was blessed with and devoted to her grandsons, Brian Block (Sara Spinner-Block) and Adam Kolotilin, who survive her now, as well as great-grandsons, Nathan and Jacob Block. She is survived by her daughters, Erna Schneiderman (Alan), Rosie Meyers (Tony Gonzalez) and Susan. Herman passed away in 1997, but Maria was lucky in love once again. Her constant and devoted companion since 2000, Ferman Jay, of blessed memory, was a mainstay in her life and her family is extremely grateful for his continued love and devotion. (Continued in next column)
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Mar. 24, 2016
Maria DZIEWINSKI Obituary
DZIEWINSKI, Maria Maria Geitler Dziewinski, born January 16, 1925 in Krakow Poland, died March 22, 2016 at home, surrounded by loving family. Maria, daughter of Szymon (Simon) and Razsel (Rosalyn) (nee Rosenzweig) survived the Holocaust. In 1939, at the age of 14, she, her parents, sister Sonia and brother Poldek were forced into the ghetto in Krakow. Because of her small delicate hands (as she liked to say) she was forced to work in a garment repair factory, mending German uniforms. All the workers were women, working from daylight until it was too dark to see, then sleeping by their worktables, on the floor. When the operation was closed down, the Nazi captain made them stand next to their worktables while he walked behind them, shooting every other woman in the back of the head. The survivors were sent back to the ghetto. In winter 1941, the Nazis rounded up Maria, Sonia and their family and put them on a truck to Plaszow, the concentration camp nearest Krakow. Germans "selected" workers to one line and those not deemed capable or suitable of work to another line. Maria was directed to one line, her mother, father, brother and sister to the other line. In the tumult of the night, she grabbed her sister into her line. They never saw their mother, father or brother again, and it is presumed they were sent to a death camp. Maria and Sonia survived Krakow-Plaszow Camp, working at various sites. Sometimes they were forced to break rocks and headstones from the Jewish cemeteries into gravel to be used on roadwork. (Much of this time is documented at the www.ushmm.org website as well as Wikipedia. Plaszow is the camp depicted in Schindler's List, which Maria and her beloved husband, Herman, both agreed was very accurate and truthful.) Herman Dziewinski, of blessed memory, and Maria met at Plaszow. He was working in the stables and soldiers' kitchens. Because of his position, he was able to sneak food to Maria and many others, which was punishable by death if he were discovered. Maria and Herman fell in love there and pledged to meet at the end of the war, if they survived. In winter 1944, Maria and Sonia were sent to Auschwitz. Once again, they were chosen for the work line rather than the gas chambers. Maria's registration number, tattooed on her arm, is A27373, as documented by the records still available at Auschwitz. Conditions were even worse than Plaszow, with horrible lack of hygiene, and threat of starvation. In late 1944 Maria and Sonia were sent to Sudetenland and worked in a munitions factory. They were liberated there in early 1945. Maria began her search for Herman; they reunited and fled west, and were sent to a Displaced Persons camp near Munich. There they married, reunited with remaining family and in July 1946, their first child, Erna was born. They lived in Germany until 1949 when, through the auspices of the American Jewish Federation, they were able to come to the US. Maria, Herman and Erna sailed into Boston Harbor in October 1949 on the SS General Hersey. They soon settled in Atlanta and were helped in many ways by many Jewish Atlantans, with lodging, work, language, possessions. Rosie (Rosalyn) was born in April 1950 at Crawford Long Hospital. Herman began working as a butcher and counterman in a small grocery store. Maria was at his side every day, running the front of the store, keeping the books and taking care of customers. Over time, with tremendous effort, they saved enough to buy the store, Herman's Market on Magnolia Street. Their continued hard work and devotion led them to some wise, and some lucky investments in real estate in the growing city of Atlanta. Maria and Herman started investing with other survivors and then with family who moved to Atlanta with their help. They were proud to be a part of the tremendous growth of Atlanta, and to help other new immigrant families and survivors. Susan was born in December 1953. Maria was proud that she "went to Emory" for her ESL classes. She and Erna learned English from ESL, TV, and movies. Maria wanted to be as American as possible, did not want her children to learn other languages at home, and insisted they speak English. She volunteered at Grady Hospital for more than 25 years, receiving many plaques and awards of appreciation. She was generous with Hadassah, Ahavath Achim Synagogue (was a member of the sisterhood), Hemschech, Jewish Federation, and Yad Vashem, remembering the help and assistance she received. A fashionable lady, she loved to shop, dress up for special occasions and dress her girls. Maria and Herman were founding members of Hemschech, the local Holocaust Survivors Association and helped to fund the Holocaust Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the first such structures in the US, it is a National Historic Site. This memorial was so important to Maria, as the only place in the world her parents and brother are memorialized. Maria was blessed with and devoted to her grandsons, Brian Block (Sara Spinner-Block) and Adam Kolotilin, who survive her now, as well as great-grandsons, Nathan and Jacob Block. She is survived by her daughters, Erna Schneiderman (Alan), Rosie Meyers (Tony Gonzalez) and Susan. Herman passed away in 1997, but Maria was lucky in love once again. Her constant and devoted companion since 2000, Ferman Jay, of blessed memory, was a mainstay in her life and her family is extremely grateful for his continued love and devotion. (Continued in next column)
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Mar. 24, 2016
A Holocaust survivor.
Maria DZIEWINSKI Obituary
DZIEWINSKI, Maria Maria Geitler Dziewinski, born January 16, 1925 in Krakow Poland, died March 22, 2016 at home, surrounded by loving family. Maria, daughter of Szymon (Simon) and Razsel (Rosalyn) (nee Rosenzweig) survived the Holocaust. In 1939, at the age of 14, she, her parents, sister Sonia and brother Poldek were forced into the ghetto in Krakow. Because of her small delicate hands (as she liked to say) she was forced to work in a garment repair factory, mending German uniforms. All the workers were women, working from daylight until it was too dark to see, then sleeping by their worktables, on the floor. When the operation was closed down, the Nazi captain made them stand next to their worktables while he walked behind them, shooting every other woman in the back of the head. The survivors were sent back to the ghetto. In winter 1941, the Nazis rounded up Maria, Sonia and their family and put them on a truck to Plaszow, the concentration camp nearest Krakow. Germans "selected" workers to one line and those not deemed capable or suitable of work to another line. Maria was directed to one line, her mother, father, brother and sister to the other line. In the tumult of the night, she grabbed her sister into her line. They never saw their mother, father or brother again, and it is presumed they were sent to a death camp. Maria and Sonia survived Krakow-Plaszow Camp, working at various sites. Sometimes they were forced to break rocks and headstones from the Jewish cemeteries into gravel to be used on roadwork. (Much of this time is documented at the www.ushmm.org website as well as Wikipedia. Plaszow is the camp depicted in Schindler's List, which Maria and her beloved husband, Herman, both agreed was very accurate and truthful.) Herman Dziewinski, of blessed memory, and Maria met at Plaszow. He was working in the stables and soldiers' kitchens. Because of his position, he was able to sneak food to Maria and many others, which was punishable by death if he were discovered. Maria and Herman fell in love there and pledged to meet at the end of the war, if they survived. In winter 1944, Maria and Sonia were sent to Auschwitz. Once again, they were chosen for the work line rather than the gas chambers. Maria's registration number, tattooed on her arm, is A27373, as documented by the records still available at Auschwitz. Conditions were even worse than Plaszow, with horrible lack of hygiene, and threat of starvation. In late 1944 Maria and Sonia were sent to Sudetenland and worked in a munitions factory. They were liberated there in early 1945. Maria began her search for Herman; they reunited and fled west, and were sent to a Displaced Persons camp near Munich. There they married, reunited with remaining family and in July 1946, their first child, Erna was born. They lived in Germany until 1949 when, through the auspices of the American Jewish Federation, they were able to come to the US. Maria, Herman and Erna sailed into Boston Harbor in October 1949 on the SS General Hersey. They soon settled in Atlanta and were helped in many ways by many Jewish Atlantans, with lodging, work, language, possessions. Rosie (Rosalyn) was born in April 1950 at Crawford Long Hospital. Herman began working as a butcher and counterman in a small grocery store. Maria was at his side every day, running the front of the store, keeping the books and taking care of customers. Over time, with tremendous effort, they saved enough to buy the store, Herman's Market on Magnolia Street. Their continued hard work and devotion led them to some wise, and some lucky investments in real estate in the growing city of Atlanta. Maria and Herman started investing with other survivors and then with family who moved to Atlanta with their help. They were proud to be a part of the tremendous growth of Atlanta, and to help other new immigrant families and survivors. Susan was born in December 1953. Maria was proud that she "went to Emory" for her ESL classes. She and Erna learned English from ESL, TV, and movies. Maria wanted to be as American as possible, did not want her children to learn other languages at home, and insisted they speak English. She volunteered at Grady Hospital for more than 25 years, receiving many plaques and awards of appreciation. She was generous with Hadassah, Ahavath Achim Synagogue (was a member of the sisterhood), Hemschech, Jewish Federation, and Yad Vashem, remembering the help and assistance she received. A fashionable lady, she loved to shop, dress up for special occasions and dress her girls. Maria and Herman were founding members of Hemschech, the local Holocaust Survivors Association and helped to fund the Holocaust Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the first such structures in the US, it is a National Historic Site. This memorial was so important to Maria, as the only place in the world her parents and brother are memorialized. Maria was blessed with and devoted to her grandsons, Brian Block (Sara Spinner-Block) and Adam Kolotilin, who survive her now, as well as great-grandsons, Nathan and Jacob Block. She is survived by her daughters, Erna Schneiderman (Alan), Rosie Meyers (Tony Gonzalez) and Susan. Herman passed away in 1997, but Maria was lucky in love once again. Her constant and devoted companion since 2000, Ferman Jay, of blessed memory, was a mainstay in her life and her family is extremely grateful for his continued love and devotion. (Continued in next column)
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Mar. 24, 2016
Maria DZIEWINSKI Obituary
DZIEWINSKI, Maria Maria Geitler Dziewinski, born January 16, 1925 in Krakow Poland, died March 22, 2016 at home, surrounded by loving family. Maria, daughter of Szymon (Simon) and Razsel (Rosalyn) (nee Rosenzweig) survived the Holocaust. In 1939, at the age of 14, she, her parents, sister Sonia and brother Poldek were forced into the ghetto in Krakow. Because of her small delicate hands (as she liked to say) she was forced to work in a garment repair factory, mending German uniforms. All the workers were women, working from daylight until it was too dark to see, then sleeping by their worktables, on the floor. When the operation was closed down, the Nazi captain made them stand next to their worktables while he walked behind them, shooting every other woman in the back of the head. The survivors were sent back to the ghetto. In winter 1941, the Nazis rounded up Maria, Sonia and their family and put them on a truck to Plaszow, the concentration camp nearest Krakow. Germans "selected" workers to one line and those not deemed capable or suitable of work to another line. Maria was directed to one line, her mother, father, brother and sister to the other line. In the tumult of the night, she grabbed her sister into her line. They never saw their mother, father or brother again, and it is presumed they were sent to a death camp. Maria and Sonia survived Krakow-Plaszow Camp, working at various sites. Sometimes they were forced to break rocks and headstones from the Jewish cemeteries into gravel to be used on roadwork. (Much of this time is documented at the www.ushmm.org website as well as Wikipedia. Plaszow is the camp depicted in Schindler's List, which Maria and her beloved husband, Herman, both agreed was very accurate and truthful.) Herman Dziewinski, of blessed memory, and Maria met at Plaszow. He was working in the stables and soldiers' kitchens. Because of his position, he was able to sneak food to Maria and many others, which was punishable by death if he were discovered. Maria and Herman fell in love there and pledged to meet at the end of the war, if they survived. In winter 1944, Maria and Sonia were sent to Auschwitz. Once again, they were chosen for the work line rather than the gas chambers. Maria's registration number, tattooed on her arm, is A27373, as documented by the records still available at Auschwitz. Conditions were even worse than Plaszow, with horrible lack of hygiene, and threat of starvation. In late 1944 Maria and Sonia were sent to Sudetenland and worked in a munitions factory. They were liberated there in early 1945. Maria began her search for Herman; they reunited and fled west, and were sent to a Displaced Persons camp near Munich. There they married, reunited with remaining family and in July 1946, their first child, Erna was born. They lived in Germany until 1949 when, through the auspices of the American Jewish Federation, they were able to come to the US. Maria, Herman and Erna sailed into Boston Harbor in October 1949 on the SS General Hersey. They soon settled in Atlanta and were helped in many ways by many Jewish Atlantans, with lodging, work, language, possessions. Rosie (Rosalyn) was born in April 1950 at Crawford Long Hospital. Herman began working as a butcher and counterman in a small grocery store. Maria was at his side every day, running the front of the store, keeping the books and taking care of customers. Over time, with tremendous effort, they saved enough to buy the store, Herman's Market on Magnolia Street. Their continued hard work and devotion led them to some wise, and some lucky investments in real estate in the growing city of Atlanta. Maria and Herman started investing with other survivors and then with family who moved to Atlanta with their help. They were proud to be a part of the tremendous growth of Atlanta, and to help other new immigrant families and survivors. Susan was born in December 1953. Maria was proud that she "went to Emory" for her ESL classes. She and Erna learned English from ESL, TV, and movies. Maria wanted to be as American as possible, did not want her children to learn other languages at home, and insisted they speak English. She volunteered at Grady Hospital for more than 25 years, receiving many plaques and awards of appreciation. She was generous with Hadassah, Ahavath Achim Synagogue (was a member of the sisterhood), Hemschech, Jewish Federation, and Yad Vashem, remembering the help and assistance she received. A fashionable lady, she loved to shop, dress up for special occasions and dress her girls. Maria and Herman were founding members of Hemschech, the local Holocaust Survivors Association and helped to fund the Holocaust Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. One of the first such structures in the US, it is a National Historic Site. This memorial was so important to Maria, as the only place in the world her parents and brother are memorialized. Maria was blessed with and devoted to her grandsons, Brian Block (Sara Spinner-Block) and Adam Kolotilin, who survive her now, as well as great-grandsons, Nathan and Jacob Block. She is survived by her daughters, Erna Schneiderman (Alan), Rosie Meyers (Tony Gonzalez) and Susan. Herman passed away in 1997, but Maria was lucky in love once again. Her constant and devoted companion since 2000, Ferman Jay, of blessed memory, was a mainstay in her life and her family is extremely grateful for his continued love and devotion. (Continued in next column)
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Mar. 24, 2016
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See more Dziewinski or Geitler memorials in:
- Arlington Memorial Park Dziewinski or Geitler
- Sandy Springs Dziewinski or Geitler
- Fulton County Dziewinski or Geitler
- Georgia Dziewinski or Geitler
- USA Dziewinski or Geitler
- Find a Grave Dziewinski or Geitler
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