Margaret Kind

The Kind family has lost its matriarch, Margaret (Malchi) Kind, and physical bridge to our ancestors. Born in Leordina, Romania (state of Transylvania) in 1928 to a loving, close-nit and large extended family. In April 1944, at 16 years of age and after years of nazi persecution in her hometown, Margaret and her family were removed from their home to the Viseu-De-Sus ghetto and ultimately sent to the death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau—where her parents, maternal grandparents and younger brother were gased upon arrival. Margaret spent the next year, along with her younger sister Rose, at Auschwitz-Birkenau, a VW munitions factory and ultimately liberated at the Salzwedel Camp in April 1945 at the end of WW2. She survived an unimaginable period as a prisoner of the Nazi’s with limited food, poor hygiene and not knowing if you would survive the next day—watching daily killings, beatings and fatal disease from the harsh conditions.

Margaret met Jerry (Geza) thru her uncle’s introduction, and they were married in December 1945—a triple wedding including Jerry’s surviving brother, Shani (to Gita). Margaret and Jerry spent three years in a displaced persons camp in Germany. Upon accessing the necessary entry papers my parents emigrated to the USA in November 1949.

Upon arrival in the USA with no money, no prospects or English skills, they began their new life. Margaret watched over her growing family—Jack, Ed (1952) and me (1956). She adapted reasonably well to her new life in the States and developed friends and maintained close relations with her survivor cousins. Margaret initially lived in the Bronx and in 1964 moved to Westchester, where she resided for 34 years. Margaret lost Jerr in 1988 and moved to Great Neck in 1998 to be closer to family. The last 10 years she lived with Jack in GN and wintered in Boca, near Ed and Jill.

Margaret leaves a lasting legacy--- 3 sons brought into this world (Jack, Ed and Peter), 7 grandchildren (Eric, Lee, Aaron, Craig, Alyssa, Benjamin and Liza) and fourteen great grandchildren (Tal, Lev, Nava, Araya, Sheya, Asher, Jax, Sloane, Jack, Eleanor, Avery, Reed, Olive and Colette) and three daughter-in laws (Susan, Jill and Esther).

Margaret to her friends, Malchi to family, to her offspring mom, grandma Margie and gigi, lived thru the darkest time in our history, rebuilt a life and contributed to the re-emergence of our family. Today, as we say goodbye, let us remember that her love and spirit will forever be a part of us. Mom, thank you for all you have done for us. You will be deeply missed and we take comfort in knowing that your love will guide us every day. We must remember Margaret’s story and commit that we do not lose connection to our history. May Margaret’s memory be for a blessing.