Theodor Kern, ‘Untitled Portrait (Frieda Frank)’, 1940 (Smith collection)
Today is the fortieth anniversary of the death of Frieda or Friedl Kern, née Frank, the second wife of Theodor Kern. Born on 10th January 1897 into a Jewish family in Steinach, Bavaria, Frieda studied at the University of Munich, where she was drawn into the circle of the Catholic philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand. In early 1939 she came to England and was befriended by fellow exile (and friend of Hildebrand) Theodor Kern, whom she married in 1946. I provided a fuller account of Frieda’s life in an earlier post on this site.
Frieda Kern died in Hitchin at the age of 83 on 24th March 1980, eleven years after the passing of her husband, with whom she is buried in Hitchin Cemetery. Unfortunately, in the current circumstances, I won’t be able to light a candle for Friedl today, as I did a few weeks ago for her husband. But may she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.
Aleha hashalom. Zikhronah livrakha.
Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
Theodor Kern, ‘Woman in Deckchair (Friedl Kern)’, c. 1948, Salzburg Museum
Theodor Kern 