Sarah Ticho Obituary

Ticho, Sarah Mirijam

Dr. Sarah Mirijam Ticho MD (née Swartenberg), whose epic life spanned 3 continents and many of the social and political upheavals of the 20th century, passed away peacefully on November 21 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, at the age of 97. Lovingly known as "Sayah" by family and friends, she was a Holocaust survivor, trailblazing physician, accomplished artist, and family leader.

Born in Rotterdam, Sarah had a traditional Dutch upbringing, with parents who encouraged nascent art talents. Her adolescence was interrupted by the rise of fascism and German invasion of Holland in May 1940. Hoping to escape to England, the family temporarily relocated to Scheveningen, a seaside town near The Hague. Tragically, when the invasion came, German paratroopers landed directly in front of their boarding house. With escape impossible, the family returned to their home in Arnhem to endure the occupation.

Like her contemporary, Anne Frank, who was close to her age, Sarah and her family went into hiding. Instead of a diary, Sarah's drawings document this period. From August 1942 to March 1945, Sarah and her older sister, Hindle, lived in the attic of Herman and Dina van Dijk in Zwolle. Confined and in constant fear of discovery, the two sisters would occasionally resort to communication via Morse code, using knitting needles.

Her father, Louis Swartenberg, had gone into hiding separately after narrowly escaping a Nazi officer's visit to their home in Arnhem. He fled wearing only his overcoat over pajamas, meeting her mother at a prearranged location. Tragically, her mother Bella was later captured, deported, and murdered at Auschwitz, but her father survived and eventually reunited with his daughters.

After the war, the family relocated to Rotterdam, where her father rebuilt his business while Sarah focused on resuming her education. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the Royal University of Utrecht in June 1948, and a medical degree from the Municipal University of Amsterdam in June 1953. She then completed her internship at the Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, from January 1954 to January 1955.

Following this, Sarah immigrated to the newly established state of Israel with her father. There, she pursued a residency in preventive medicine and public health at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital from February 1955 to February 1956. Afterwards, Sarah continued work with Hadassah, delivering healthcare and immunizations to children in Arabic villages.

Intrigued by the budding Israeli art scene, Sarah and her father were invited to the Jerusalem home of renowned artist, Anna Ticho and famed ophthalmologist Albert Ticho. There she met a young Czech emigre and recent medical graduate, Karl Ticho. Following a whirlwind 6-week courtship, the couple became engaged, moved to Chicago, and eventually married in 1958.

Early in their marriage, Sarah assisted Karl in ophthalmologic surgery. They established many friendships at their homes - initially in Marynook and Beverly on Chicago's South Side, and eventually in Winnetka, where they lived for 45 years.

Sarah took a break from clinical practice to start a family, determined to have a daughter. Instead, she was blessed with five sons-Baruch, Gabriel, Joshua, Benjamin, and Simon-within just six and a half years. Later in life, she formed close and loving bonds with their spouses, Allison August, Amy Zlimen, Amy Heavenrich, and Mary Kay Faryan.

She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her sons' upbringing, emphasizing education, creativity, exercise, and community service. An accomplished accordionist (including playing in a wartime Jewish band), Sarah ensured that all the children became musicians, and accompanied them on the piano in group performances.

In 1973, Sarah returned to medicine, earning her Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and embarking on a 17-year career with the Chicago Department of Health. In various roles, she led programs in chronic disease prevention, occupational safety, and family planning, leaving a lasting impact on public health in Chicago and earning the deep respect of her colleagues and patients.

She continued her art studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, mastering watercolor and later expanding into sculpture. In retirement, Sarah filled her days with travel, reconnecting with her wartime rescuers, and cherishing time with her family. Whether biking through the Dutch countryside, creating art, or sharing her story with schoolchildren, she embraced life with creativity and energy.

Sarah was a true renaissance "superwoman" before this term was coined, combining a life of medical service, a close circle of friends and enjoyment of her grandchildren. While she generally had strict opinions on how things should be done, Sayah was remarkably tolerant, and eager to find the best in others. Even in her waning years, in Memory Care, Sayah remained cheerful and affectionate, raining kisses and "I love you"s on staff, residents and visitors.

A matriarch in the best sense of the word, Sayah nurtured her family with strength, wisdom, and boundless love. She is survived by her sons, their spouses, grandchildren (spouses) Arielle, Alex (Katie), Andrew, Natalie, Emily, Katie, Max (Kari), Laura (Justina), Abigail, Gideon (Morgan), Lucie, Fiona, Linus, Tatum, and great-grandchildren, Mia, Anna, Rio, and Eloise.

A private memorial service will be held at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights on Sunday November 24 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hadassah, https://www.hadassah.org/donate), supporting public health, Holocaust education, or arts programs in Sarah's memory.

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