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Irena Peritz, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated her life to fostering kindness and empathy, died last week at the age of 98, according to her son-in-law, columnist Josh Freed.

Peritz endured harrowing experiences fleeing the Nazis with her family in Poland during World War II. At one point, she and her mother hid in a hayloft while the Gestapo searched for Jews, Freed wrote in a tribute published February 7th in the Montreal Gazette. Much of her extended family was murdered during the Holocaust.

Despite the trauma she experienced, Peritz maintained a relentlessly optimistic spirit. On the day she was liberated at age 16, she wrote in her wartime diary, “My legs, a little wobbly and weak, carry me outside as though I were in a dream… I fill my lungs with fresh air and breathe freedom. I have nothing, but I have everything — my life.”

Freed described his mother-in-law as a remarkably wise, warm, and compassionate person who possessed an enduring curiosity and youthful energy. Their relationship evolved over more than 30 years of marriage into a close friendship, with Freed noting she became an occasional drinking companion and even a tennis partner well into her nineties.

Lindi Ross of Carignan, writing in a letter to the editor published February 15th in the Montreal Gazette, observed that Peritz “lived in a way that made bigotry look small and kindness and empathy look powerful.” Ross highlighted Peritz’s ability to connect with others, offering a listening ear and making strangers feel seen.

Peritz’s life stands in stark contrast to contemporary political rhetoric that relies on stereotypes and fear, according to Ross. She argued that Peritz’s example demonstrates the profound impact of humility, openness, and compassion, suggesting that a focus on these qualities could significantly improve communities.

Freed also noted that his mother-in-law’s life was particularly amazing given her harrowing start. He recounted a recent incident where he sustained injuries during a biking accident in Vermont in October 2023, requiring a visit to a U.S. Hospital.