Hella Dora Blum

Her formative years in Germany were very happy. She fondly remembered her maternal grandfather doting on her, taking her for rides in his car, and buying her gifts. But at age 10, the family fled Nazi Germany and arrived in the Dominican Republic with very little. A precocious child, Hella quickly adapted to her new culture and language. She often recalled the warmth, generosity, and hospitality of the Dominican people who supported the family during the early years after their arrival.

In 1947, Hella married Max Blum. The couple moved to Sosúa, a Jewish refugee town on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, and her parents and siblings soon followed. While living in Sosúa, Hella taught elementary school.

The family struggled financially. In order to support her family, Hella took a risk and purchased a handbag manufacturing factory in Santo Domingo. She devoted the next few years to running it, and her hard work resulted in greater economic stability for her whole family.

Political upheaval in the early 1960s led the family to relocate to Puerto Rico, where she founded another handbag factory. Several trips to New York and Chicago introduced Hella to life in the United States, and eventually, the family immigrated to Miami, Florida, where she lived for the rest of her life.

Hella loved to travel, visiting many places including Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Germany, other parts of Europe, Hawaii, and Israel.

Her generosity and hospitality were ever present. She was a dedicated member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. She will be remembered as loving, loyal, supportive, and giving — to her family, friends, and community.

Hella was predeceased by her husband, Max; her sister, Margot; her brother-in-law, Vittorio Labi; and her eldest son, Johnny (Edie). She is survived by her brother, Manfred (Oneida); her son, Edward (Ilene); six grandchildren: Ari (Claudia), Cara, Isaac (Amanda), Ariel (Adria), Joshua, and Sarah (Kevin); eight great-grandchildren: Charlie, Sadie, Ari Jr., Gabriella, Misha, Nelse, Riley, and Gabriella; and seven nieces and nephews.