Ilse Gradwohl Fuchs, of Boothbay Harbor, passed away Sept. 6 at her home. She was born in Berlin Germany on March 18, 1916. She escaped to Basel, Switzerland from Nazi Germany in 1938. In Basel she met and married Henry Fuchs and gave birth to their daughter, Betty.
The family emigrated to the United States in January 1948 and settled in Rutland, Vt. later the same year. For many years Ilse was self-employed in retail sales, presenting over 1000 Stanley Parties and Home Demonstrations during a five-year period. She worked in several retail stores and as a waitress at a number of restaurants in Rutland.
In 1967 Ilse and her husband moved to Florida, where she worked as a caterer in the Pompano Beach area. She returned to Rutland in 1989, residing there until 2009, when she moved to Boothbay Harbor.
Ilse fulfilled a lifelong dream by celebrating her Bat Mitzvah at Rutland Jewish Center on March 18, 1994, her 78th birthday. More recently, she was a devoted member of Israel Congregation of Manchester, Vt. She was a life member of Hadassah and an active Volunteer-Member of the City of Hope in Florida.
Ilse was predeceased by her husband, Henry Fuchs.
Survivors include her daughter and husband, Betty and Martin Welt of Nobleboro; granddaughters and their husbands, Sarah Welt and Carl Otis of Jersey City, N.J., Jessica Welt Betensky and Keith Betensky of Bedford, N.Y.; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Samara Betensky and Jamie Otis.
Graveside service and internment Sept. 10 at Highland Cemetery in Nobleboro. The family will be sitting Shiva at the home of Betty and Marty Welt.
Memorial donations may be made to Israel Congregation of Manchester, 6025 Main St., Manchester Center, VT 05255 or Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
