Bella Jedwab

Holocaust survivor

At the age of ninety-eight, Bella Jedwab passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Berek Jedwab. Devoted mother and mother-in-law of Sara and Alan, Harry and Michele, and Jack and Louise. Cherished grand-mother to Stephanie and Morley, Geula and Danny, Helen and Elliot, Joseph and Nargiza, James, Franya, Tamara and Brian, Romy and Emmanuel, David, and Ashley. Loving great-grandmother to Hayden, Maya, Jake, Ronin, Autumn, Gabriel J., Leila, Isaac, Thomas, and Gabriel H. 

Bella was born in Pabianice, Poland on October 17th, 1926 to Hillel Gelbart and Freyet Samuelevitch. She had an older brother, Geniek, whom she loved dearly. 

Bella survived the atrocities of the Holocaust after having endured both the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz concentration camp. While Bella’s parents and lone sibling were killed during the Holocaust, she kept her promise to her mother to survive and their legacy lives on through her descendants. 

When the war ended, she returned to her hometown where she met her soulmate with whom she rebuilt her life. Together they travelled to Germany, Israel, Belgium and eventually ended up in Montreal, Canada, which they made home for nearly 70 years. Bella was a remarkable woman and embodied elegance, kindness and warmth. 

Bella Jedwab passed away peacefully and with great dignity after living with the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. She will be remembered for her courage, perseverance, resilience and unparalleled devotion to her family.

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W. on Wednesday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. Burial at the Hebrew Sick Association Cemetery, de la Savane. Contributions in her memory may be made to Jewish Hospital of Hope Eldercare Foundation, (514) 738-4500 ext. 2124 or click here.