Sofie Heller
| Born: |
01-02-1914 |
| Faculty: |
Medical School | Medical University Vienna |
| Category: |
Expelled student |
Sofie HELLER, born on January 2
nd, 1914 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ('heimatberechtigt') for Vienna/Austria, Citizenship: Austria), daughter of Josef Heller (merchant, Vienna 21st district, Brünnerstraße 43/9), lived in Vienna 20
th district, Perinetgasse 3/11.
After she had graduated from high school ('Gymnasium') in Vienna 9
th district, Wasagasse 10, Sofie "Fiffy" Heller began to study medicine at the University of Vienna in fall term 1933/34.
Her younger brother Otto Heller (born on August 6
th, 1915 in Vienna) also began to study study medicine at the University of Vienna in 1933/34, after passing secondary school and a Latin course at the university. He.was not enrolled in 1935/36 and finally enrolled for fall term 1936/37 (his 5th term), but then broke off his studies. In a fight with anti-Semites at the university he was knocked out two teeth.
Sofie Heller was enrolled finally in the fall term 1937/38 at the Medical School in the 4th year of her studies (Leaving Certificate ('Abgangszeugnis') was issued on January 16th, 1939, fall term 1937/38 was validated on February 9th, 1938).
After the "Anschluss" – in 1939 – she followed her brother, who fled to France. After the occupation of France she lived with false papers under the name "Marie Heidon" in Montereau [Montereau-Fault-Yonne] near Paris. She managed to escape to Switzerland. At the University of Basel, Sofie Kohn-Heller was able to continue her medical studies from fall term 1943/44 until spring term 1946.
In 1946 she went to the US and returned to Vienna in 1948/49. She never completed her studies. In 1951 and 1952 her daughters Lydia and Ruth were born.
Her brother Otto Heller, who had returned to Vienna before, was able finish his medical studies and was graduated 'Dr.med.' at the University of Vienna on July 14
th, 1950. He worked as a dentist until his retirement. He died on December 13
th, 1998 in Vienna.
Lit.: POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 403; information from her daughter Mag. Dr. Lydia Mayr, 2015; Vienna University Archive, Medical School: Nationale 1933-1938.
Katharina Kniefacz and Herbert Posch
