Irena Peritz, Holocaust Survivor Who Earned a PhD in Life, Dies at 98
Irena Peritz, a remarkable woman whose life journey from Holocaust survivor to beloved community figure inspired many, passed away last week at the age of 98. Known for her wisdom, warmth, and compassionate spirit, she left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
A Life Forged in Darkness, Lived in Light
Irena's early years were marked by unimaginable hardship. As a Holocaust survivor, she spent ages 11 through 16 fleeing from the Nazis with her family in wartime Poland. At one harrowing point, she and her mother hid in a gentile family's hayloft while Gestapo officers stabbed through it with bayonets, seeking Jews. Much of her extended family was murdered by the time she was liberated.
Yet, on the day she emerged from hiding at age 16, Irena wrote in her wartime diary: "My legs, a little wobbly and weak, carry me outside as though I were in a dream. For the first time in four months, I feel wind and sun against my skin. I fill my lungs with fresh air and breathe freedom. I have nothing, but I have everything — my life." These words captured the optimistic spirit that would define her entire life.
The Professor of the Human Heart
Despite never attending university, Irena possessed what columnist Josh Freed—her son-in-law—describes as "a PhD in life and a professorship in the human heart." Her daughter Ingrid noted in a eulogy that Irena emerged from darkness to embrace a life of light and hope, never losing her gratitude for simply being alive when so many others had perished.
Irena made constant fans everywhere she went—at summer hiking camp, senior tai chi classes, choir, folk dancing, and through cross-country skiing and hiking well into her 80s. Younger hikers often stepped aside like an honour guard for this white-haired lady trekking up mountain trails with her walking sticks.
The Westmount Park Bench Office
In her 90s, Irena's unofficial office became a bench in Westmount Park, beside her seniors' residence at Manoir Westmount. People would drop by during "office hours" seeking advice on relationships, a compassionate ear, or simply good conversation. She listened carefully, asked deep, non-judgmental questions, and always made people feel better.
Her grandson Jonathon noted at her funeral that when Irena first moved to the residence, "you almost had to make a reservation to see her, she was very busy making friends. Calling her was no good: she was always out of her room." Even ex-girlfriends of her grandsons would ask about Irena years after breakups, demonstrating her lasting impact.
The Wednesday Night Tennis Ritual
For many years, Irena was a central figure in a weekly Wednesday night tennis game at Westmount Park. Josh Freed and several other players had a standing date with Irena, who would often show up after dinner. The players loved talking to her so much that if she didn't arrive by 7:15 p.m., everyone would ask: "Where's Irena?"
When five players showed up for doubles, the extra person would sit on the bench chatting with Irena, then the next guy and the next—like a lineup. Even on weeks when certain players didn't participate, some would drop by just to talk with her. As tennis buddy Richard noted: "Without Irena, the Wednesday game is going to lose some of its sparkle."
A Legacy of Light and Connection
Irena herself was often mystified by her popularity, frequently asking: "Why does everyone like me so much? I don't understand. I never went to college, I'm not that smart or interesting. Why me?" But those who knew her understood that she possessed something very few college graduates do—an extraordinary capacity for human connection and wisdom born of experience.
She taught those around her that even from the greatest darkness, one can always find light. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her resilience, compassion, and unwavering positive spirit.
