Erika Duczmal Hermo

Born to Johann and Ida (Budde) Duczmal in Germany, likely Dortmund, in the middle of World War II, Erika’s earliest memories were escaping to safety with the help of the Red Cross to the Cologne area after being rescued from the basement of their home destroyed by bombs. The American soldiers were kind to the children, spending their free time visiting and entertaining them. As time went by, the siblings worked and foraged to have money and food. Experiencing a lightning strike on a tree near their home left a lasting impression; she would always fear storms and seek safe locations and companionship. Eventually, she trained as a beautician and managed salons. While working in the States, she learned about the Holocaust; no one had ever talked about it at her home or school. When she later visited Germany, she made a point to see the camps and, as she told it, learned why everyone was “ashamed.”

Growing up, Erika’s favorite time was Christmas. The children saw the tree Christmas morning and everyone sang carols. She recalled that the neighbors would come listen because their voices were like a “Von Trapp Family!”

A favorite memory was her unexpected involvement in the premature birth of her godson. No one expected Karin to have identical twins. When Erika helped deliver them, she named the second, “Volker,” and became his godmother. At 3 and 4 lbs., the boys remained in the hospital until they could come home. She always had a special place in her heart for Rainer and Volker. In a strange coincidence, Erika passed on the anniversary of Rainer’s death.

Erika met Horst Henry Taudt in Germany. After he immigrated to the States, he invited her to join him; she sailed on the MS Berlin. They married April 1964 and lived in Weehawken, NJ, where she got her United States beautician’s and manager’s licenses. She bought her first salon in the late 60’s. Later divorced, she married Joseph John Hermo (“Sonny”) in 1976 and lived in Teaneck, NJ, with his daughter, Melissa (“Missy”). Wanting a warmer location, they bought a second home in the resort named Casa de Campo in La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

After their divorce in 1981, Erika opened her beauty salon in Casa de Campo and remained there another 25 years. The resort was owned by Gulf+Western with many celebrities owning homes and hosting other celebrities. A native, Oscar de la Renta owned a home and sponsored fundraisers for the arts and orphans. Some of his guests were Sean Connery, Maury Povich, and Connie Chang. Carlos Santana and Frank Sinatra performed for a fundraiser at the new amphitheater at Altos de Chavon. Julio Iglesias starred the next fundraiser and became her favorite Latin singer (he once kissed her on the lips!). A favorite client was George Hamilton who owned a small villa. At times, Oscar’s models also used Erika’s services with stylists going to the home. One Christmas, the royal family from Holland came for haircuts and nails. The daughter and granddaughters of former Russian President Gorbachev as well as Lady Bird Johnson had their hair and nails done at Le Salon Erika. Many of the entertainers and visitors as well as their family members frequented her salon and attended the same gatherings Erika attended. She loved her time there.

In 1991, the family reunited after being apart for about 10 years. The gathering in Germany was a joyful one and also celebrated her 50th birthday. From then on, she would travel to Germany every other year and stay for five to six weeks. Her family also came to visit her at Casa de Campo. When she eventually was confined to bed, reviewing the many pictures of those times brought back a lot of good memories.

Along with her beloved Germany, she loved to travel to other places – alone, with her husband or with friends: Austria; Spain; Lyon, Nimes and Paris, France; Budapest, Hungary; Jamaica; Belgium; Netherlands; Bermuda; Tenerife; Holland; Puerto Rico; Italy; London, England; Egypt; Morocco; Vancouver, Canada. Stateside, she visited Alaska, Grand Canyon, New Orleans, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Sedona, Cape Cod, Miami, Atlanta, Indianapolis Speedway, and multiple areas in PA, VT, CT.

After she moved to North Carolina in 2006, she wrote of her life in Germany, the States and the Dominican Republic and of her many travels. Much of the information in this article is based upon those reminiscences. The document was a fascinating read!

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother Karl Heinz Duczmal, by her sisters Karin Lossner and Ursula Soennecken, and her great-nephew Rainer Lossner. Also preceding her were her brothers-in-law: Henry Lossner, Helmut Soennecken, and Rude Lemmer. A significant loss in her life was her much-loved German shepherd, Heidi, who helped her through some difficult times. She is survived by her sister Edith Lemmer, her great-nephew and godson Volker Lossner and his wife Christa, Volker’s sons Sebastian and Jonas, Rainer’s wife Marie Luise and their daughters Sarah and Anja, and Ursula’s sons Ralf and his wife Barbel and Jorg and his wife Martina.

Erika also is survived by many friends at her former home at Weatherstone Springs (Cary, NC) as well as those in the Dominican Republic and other parts of the United States. The close friendship of Carol Kimball Stahl and her husband Paul was a part of Erika’s daily life for many years. When Erika was diagnosed with multi myeloma in 2017, Carol took her to doctor appointments and ran other errands. When Erika was no longer able to advocate for herself, Carol and Paul did so. Erika will be missed.

Erika Duczmal Hermo chose her passing. Her quality of life was such that, one day, she simply decided not to eat, drink and take medications. The wonderful people at Raleigh Rehabilitation Center in conjunction with Empatia Palliative Care and Heartland Hospice Care respected her decision and kept her comfortable. Erika’s wishes were not to have a service nor to be buried. She wanted her ashes to be reunited with family in Germany. Family and friends are working to honor her wishes.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the family.