Karola (Carmella) Zucker, nee Österreicher
On November 4th we commemorate the death of Karola Zucker. She was born on August 7th 1925 in Laa. Her parents, Leopold Österreicher and Hermine Österreicher (nee Blau) had a shop in the center of Laa. Karola had to leave the city within 48 hours in 1938. After a short time in Bratislava and a very few peaceful years in Hungary, Hitler invaded Hungary. She was deported togehter with her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins to Auschwitz. Her parents were murdered there.
Karola was the only person from Laa to survive Auschwitz and Plaszow. She came back for short visits even in the 60s. Laa always had a special place in her heart. It meant a lot for her to get back the Austrian citizeship and to be registered as a citizen of Laa, even though she had found a new home in Israel.
Her big heart will be remembered by all who met her. She was more forgiving and seeking peace than words can describe.
She did not see the monument, but had hoped so much for a memorial - as humble as it might be. Now more than her dreams have become reality and her children and grandchildren came to see it.
The society ows her its name, the writing on the memorial is what she wrote down long before the memorial became reality.
May she rest in peace.
