Rosalee Glass, a Holocaust survivor who went on to become a successful businesswoman and the subject of a documentary that chronicled her desire to follow through on as many passions as she could in her 80s and 90s, has died at the age of 102.
Rosalee's death comes after she returned home from a trip to Washington D.C. where she met with President Donald Trump and attended the White House Hanukkah party. According to her daughter, Lillian Glass, while they were en route to the White House, a wheelchair attendant accidentally dropped the 102-year-old, badly bruising her arm. Rosalee was taken to a local hospital where an x-ray showed that she didn't break anything.
After visiting the doctor and getting the OK to fly, Rosalee and her daughter stayed at a hotel in Los Angeles overnight before flying out to Washington D.C. for the journey to the White House the next day. The pair attended the Hanukkah party Wednesday night, where Rosalee was acknowledged by President Trump in his speech.
"We are profoundly honored to be joined this afternoon by Rosalee Glass, a survivor of the Nazi Holocaust, the darkest chapter of human history," Trump said. "After the war, Rosalee came to America and started a drapery manufacturing business. Now she has written a book, starred in an award-winning film, and is going strong at the age of 102
"Where is Rosalee? Where is — hi. You’re looking good," the president said, recognizing her. "Thank you, Rosalee. Thank you for being here. It’s an honor. And you do — you really fill our hearts with open joy, Rosalee. In honor of Rosalee and the millions of Jews who suffered unthinkable persecution, we renew our pledge now and always: Never again. Never again."
"When we left the White House we were so thrilled as Rosalee said it was one of the best times of her life," Lillian wrote on Facebook.
Rosalee and her daughter returned home on Thursday, where the 102-year-old went to see a doctor, who recommended that Rosalee undergo daily physical therapy for the injuries she sustained when the wheelchair attendant dropped her. According to her daughter, Rosalee rested all day and by Saturday, appeared to be recovering nicely.
“We had fun and laughed all day and I read all of the beautiful comments made about her from our [Facebook] friends,” Lillian wrote. “She giggled and smiled and was touched. She loved it. WE had such a fun time until she woke up from a nap screaming in agonizing pain.”
Lillian said she rushed her mother to the emergency room where Rosalee lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Further attempts to revive her by doctors were unsuccessful.
"I climbed on top of her body and held her in my arms and sobbed the most gut-level sobs," Lillian wrote.
Her daughter said Rosalee died from a blood clot to her heart, which could have been caused during the accident on the plane. Rosalee was only a few weeks shy of celebrating her 103rd birthday.
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