Noemi Ban
September 29, 1922 - June 07, 2019
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Noemi Ban
September 29, 1922 - June 07, 2019
Obituary
Noemi Ban passed away on Friday June 7th, 2019 in Bellingham after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She lived to the “honorable” (her word) age of 96 (and a half, as she would insist). Although it was her generous heart that gave out in the end, that heart touched our community and many other communities worldwide.
Noemi was born on September 29, 1922 in Szeged, Hungary to Samuel and Juliska Schonberger. Although she grew up in a cultured Jewish home, she and her family witnessed Hungary’s slide from democracy to Nazi dictatorship. As a result, Noemi’s mom, with unusual foresight, insisted that she learn a manual skill, as a seamstress, which could aid in her survival in an anti-semitic wartime environment. The path of her young life was completely disrupted by the Nazi invasion of Hungary. As she has related so eloquently to countless audiences, the Nazis deported her and her family to Auschwitz, where her mother, grandmother, younger sister and baby brother were murdered. Because of her unparalleled resilience, good health, manual skills and courage, she survived 3 months in Auschwitz as well as a subsequent transfer to Buchenwald labor camp, where she helped to sabotage the making of Nazi bombs.
Following the war, she reunited with her father back in Hungary and rekindled a pre-war relationship with Earnest Ban, whom she married in 1945. They had two sons and lived in Budapest where they had successful careers as teachers. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, she and her family, at her insistence, escaped from Hungary, fleeing Communism as well as the return of Fascism. They found their way to America and settled in St. Louis, Missouri.
After learning English, Noemi embarked on a second award winning teaching career lasting 23 years. In 1982, she and Earnest retired to Bellingham to be close to her son, Steve’s growing family. After several years of traveling, Earnest became ill. She was his primary caretaker until his death in 1994.
Shortly before Earnest’s passing, Noemi began a third chapter of teaching, volunteering her time and energy speaking and co-writing a book about her experiences in the Holocaust, with her message of survival, resilience, and love. Not only did Noemi’s speaking and writing provide an ongoing purpose to the last 25 years of her life , but it significantly impacted the life of every member of her audiences. Her wish was to continue speaking as long as she could and she did so until the very end of her life.
Noemi received many awards during her teaching and Holocaust education careers:
1980: Teacher of the Year in St. Louis, Missouri
1998: Golden Apple Award
1999: Honorary Doctorate, Gonzaga University
2003: Washington Education Association Human and Civil Rights Award in the category of International Peace and Understanding
2004: Excellence in Holocaust Education Award
2006: Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame
2010- Americanism Award from Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR) o 2012: One of Bellingham Herald’s “Ten Who Cared”
2013: Honorary Doctorate, Western Washington University
and finally…..
Volunteer of the Year Award from Assumption Catholic School, received at 12:30 PM on June 7, 2019, three hours before she passed away.
Noemi is predeceased by:
Juliska Schonberger, mother
Samu Gabor, father
Erzsebet Schonberger, sister
Gabor Schonberger, brother
Earnest Ban, husband
Irenke Gabor, step-mother
Joseph Schonberg, uncle
Helen Schonberg, aunt
Stephen Schonberg, cousin
Noemi is survived by:
Steven Ban (Janis), son
George Ban (Pat), son
Grandchildren: Rachel Tefft (Nathan), Julia Ban, Miriam Ban (Mark Dudinski), Jeremiah Levine (Rachel Light), Karen Martin, Jason Ban (Erica)
Great-grandchildren: Molly, Isla and Samuel Tefft; Brooke, Nadia and Jaxson Martin; Alexis and Jordyn Ban
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity or the New Synagogue Fund of Beth Israel Synagogue, Bellingham, WA.
Funeral Service
- Date & Time: June 11, 2019 (10:00 AM)
- Venue: Beth Israel Synagogue
- Location: 751 San Juan Blvd. Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: June 11, 2019 (11:30 AM)
- Venue: Beth Israel Cemetery
- Location: 1420 Woburn St. Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
10 responses to Noemi Ban
Christine Thorington says:
June 7, 2019
I had the honor of bringing Noemi to my middle school, Mt. Baker in Auburn, many years to speak with our 8th graders. I would drive to Bellingham to pick her up the day before, and I was lucky to have that travel time with her to hear more of her stories. The students, year after year, adored her. It was thrilling for me as a teacher to witness their absolute awe in being witness to her living history. They always wanted to hug her.
She was courageous and so generous. I am forever grateful to have known her.
Chris Thorington
8th grade teacher
Tim Shepherd says:
June 7, 2019
I had the honor of presenting Noemi to many of my classes in the Mt. Baker School District over the years. The last time I heard her address a group of students, however, was in my grandson’s 5th grade classroom at Silver Beach Elementary. She still received the same full attentive audience, the same respectful questions, and the same sincerity of youth wanting to hug her at the conclusion of her meaningful message. It was my privilege to know her and always be greeted by her welcoming smile. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and words of those who continue to share her story. Tim Shepherd
Arnie Hummasti says:
June 7, 2019
Noemi spoke several times to students at Central School in Ferndale and her message of love and forgiveness in the wake of deplorable horrors had a profound effect. We were honored to have her as a guest at our production of “Fiddler On the Roof.” She rose above tragedy and eloquently and significantly touched many lives. Thank you, Noemi. Condolences to her family.
Phyllis R. Kiehn says:
June 7, 2019
Noemi Ban is a National Treasure. I was honored to listen to her speak several times and to read her book A wonderful lady who despite her childhood under a Nazi regime spoke of love and forgiveness. . May her message never be forgotten. Condolences to her family. Phyllis Kiehn
Robin Stephens says:
June 7, 2019
Mrs Ban was a strong, lovely, & courageous woman. I attended many of her talks on the Holocaust. She was a great speaker, it was as if you were there with her. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. God Bless!!