The Holocaust Educational Trust is deeply saddened at the passing of our dear friend Holocaust survivor Eve Kugler BEM.
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive, Holocaust Educational Trust:
Eve was the epitome of strength and determination and lit up every room - she had an infectious smile and a cheeky wit. She was always interested in people and displayed a strong sense of humility, somehow not acknowledging just how special she was. She was gentle, warm and vulnerable but always showed the world her bravery, resilience and fearlessness.
Eve had an unusual but powerful story to tell. She was born in 1931 in Halle, Germany and lived with her parents and two sisters. In 1938, she witnessed the events of Kristallnacht. She would always remember the Nazis storming into her home, smashing the windows of their family business, and most devasting of all taking away her beloved father who was sent to Buchenwald until her mother courageously managed to secure his release.
In June 1939, the family fled to France. Eve’s mother managed to get spaces in a Jewish children’s home, where she worked as a cook to be close to her daughters. In 1941, Eve and her sister Ruth received visas for America. They spent the next 5 years separated from their parents and little sister Lea. Remarkably, the family were reunited in 1946.
After a successful career as a journalist in the United States, Eve came to the UK in 1990. She dedicated many years to sharing her testimony with schools and communities across the country. She made an impression on all and inspired students, footballers and politicians alike. She was a beloved member of the survivor community, who I know will feel her loss acutely. Her vibrancy and her relentless energy will never be forgotten. We will miss her dearly.