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Killed Woman's Holocaust Memoirs Will Be Completed By Neighbor

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - When an elderly woman died in an Ossining, NY fire on Monday, she was in the middle of compiling her family history which included the story of her survival during the holocaust.

Now, neighbor Patty Chapman has become the guardian of that work in progress, reports WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi.

WCBS 880 Reporter Catherine Cioffi spoke with a neighbor who is continuing their project

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Chapman looks out the window at what was once Charlotte Hahn Arner's home, she can still smell the remnants of the fatal fire in the air.

Her friend may have been killed that day, but her story of fleeing Nazi Germany will live on because of Chapman.

"Pictures of Berlin, her passport coming over to the U.S., Berlin with the red "J" for Jew in 1938," said Chapman.

For ten years, Chapman worked with Arner as they transcribed her memoirs. Now, they are saved on Chapman's computer.

"Five hundred pages, typed transcripts in various pieces that she has checked," said Chapman. "She felt strongly that this was an important story."

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