Miryam Sapsovic Levy

As told to daughter, Esther Levy.

At age 4 moved to Prague from Chust and loved it there, was a happy, feisty tomboy. Father became a well known orthopedic shoemaker. 1941, family deported to Terezin. Father was needed as shoe maker for S.S. If the boots weren't perfect he was beaten. He was sent to Terezin first to help build the railroad to the death camps. At age 10 I worked as dental assistant in camp. Became sick with scarlet fever, hospitalized several months and acquired heart complication. Undernourished, skinny and hungry, I stole a few potatoes from a cellar and ate them raw, a real treat then. General diet was turine ( watery gruel) and a bread ration every few days. Zorinka risked her life hiding a spinach leaf for me in her sock working in the fields.Cold water showers, no soap. Women and children were separated from men but free to walk around. 1942, Anna, mother's best friend came to camp with her baby Stepanek, Stephen Melnick, about 2 yrs old. We helped them and Stephen became one of my best friends. Spent 4 years in Terezin, total. Older sister Zorinka died in Terezin from typhus in 1943 at age 14 and mother became deeply depressed and catatonic for 2 years. May 5, 1945, liberation from camp by Russians. After war, return to Prague to original apartment and father resumed his shoe repair business. Neighbors had kept our money and belongings for us so we could return, which was unusual and fortunate. We took in refugees right after the war. Making up for lost education time, had a wonderful experience at special recreation camp for children, then school, eventually became good student excelling in languages. Hannah Benishova High School, home tutoring, violin lessons, sang with mother beautifully. 1949, age 18, family moves to Paris, I made all the arrangements. Father was working and life was very good. With French boyfriend George, a medical student, learned Spanish from a book. 1950, moved to New York, I arranged all the visas for me and my parents. My parents were sending care packages to relatives in Israel. I had a well paying job as saleslady in French clothing boutique, Delbeau, and took night courses in college to be a U.N. interpreter. Met Erwin Levy in April, married in December, had David, Esther, Sharon. Divorced in 1978 when the children were grown. Grandchildren and great-granddaughters were the light of my parents' lives.