Tributes

Dr. Elizabeth Rita Petuchowski died peacefully at her home in Bexley, Ohio, on May 3, 2026 at the age of 101. Born in Bochum, Germany, on November 10, 1924, she was able to escape from Nazi Germany, arriving in London in August of 1939. A month later she was evacuated to Kettering, Northamptonshire where she spent the years of World War II continuing her education while learning English. Returning to London after the War, Elizabeth enrolled at University College London where she met another student, Jakob Josef Petuchowski. They were married in London in 1946 and immigrated to Cincinnati in 1948. Cincinnati remained her home until 2007 when she moved to Columbus, Ohio. Elizabeth and Dr. Rabbi Jakob J. Petuchowski were married for 45 years when Jakob Petuchowski died in November, 1991. Dr. Petuchowski is survived by her three children Dr. Samuel Judah (Dr. Silvia), Rabbi Aaron Mark (Janese) and Jonathan Mayer (Dr. Leslie Yenkin); her six grandchildren Benjamin (Janna Fisher), Daniela (Hector Cardenas), Joshua, Ethan (Katie Pan), Emily and Abigail; and her three great grandchildren Izzy, Avi and Mauro. Dr. Petuchowski earned her Master’s and her PhD degrees in German Literature from the University of Cincinnati. She enjoyed teaching at all levels, and contributed scholarly works in modern German literature and translations of both scholarly and literary works. Among her numerous publications both in this country and in Germany, including several books, are her memoirs Where From and Where To: One of the Last Self-Told German Jewish Life Stories published in 2022 which details much of her life. A quiet and steady matriarch of the family, passionate reader and constant student, a lover of art and music and a devoted Jew, Dr. Elizabeth Petuchowski’s graveside funeral will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 3:30 pm at United Jewish Cemetery of Walnut Hills, 3400 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45207. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 (tiferethisrael.org) or to Isaac M. Wise Temple, Rabbi Lewis Kamrass Rabbinic Leadership Fund, 8329 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 (wisetemple.org) or to the charity of your choice. Shivah will be observed following the burial at 100 Bishop Square Columbus, Ohio 43209.

Tributes

Dr. Elizabeth Rita Petuchowski

September 10, 1924 - May 3, 2026