Obituary

Kaethe (“katy”) schohl wells, 91, passed away on thursday, december 25, 2014.

She was born in florsheim, germany on april 19, 1923, to dr. Max and liesel schohl. Katy and her sister hela spent an idyllic childhood studying and swimming along the main river. When the nazis came to power, katy’s family struggled to find refuge, as katy’s father was sent to auschwitz and the surviving family members to a slave labor camp. After liberation, katy immigrated to the united states, where cousins in charleston, wv welcomed her into their home.

Short after arriving in charleston, katy met and married the late herman wells, with whom she raised two children. For 66 years, the charleston community embraced her. She made lifelong friends and was active in temple israel’s sisterhood. Katy brought joy to her family and friends through lively humor, a love of music, and fruit kuchens.
When letters documenting the schohls’ efforts to escape germany were printed in a 1997 new york times magazine cover story, “dear cousin julius,” and the 2004 book, and the world closed its doors, katy began publicly speaking about the holocaust and tolerance. With the help of her dear friend, barry warhoftig, katy educated audiences at universities, churches, synagogues, civic groups and high schools. She found great meaning in her conversations with students and community members across west virginia and ohio.

Katy is survived by her children, clara wells of tampa, fl and dr. P.J. (fran) wells of canton, oh; two granddaughters, dr. Katie wells (michael satin) of washington, d.C.; and jennifer wells (gabe culberg) of new york, ny; a great-grandson, isaac wells satin; a sister-in-law, gloria m. Wells of cincinnati, oh; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.M. Tuesday, december 30, 2014 at barlow-bonsall funeral home with rabbi james cohn officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to jewish family services, 432 30th street nw, canton, oh, 44709 or the charity of your choice.

You may send condolences to the family using the “send condolences” button above. Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.