Paula Willmann (Willman) (geb. Winter)

Paula Winter was born in Vienna as the legitimate daughter of Barel Winter and Reisel, née Neuman. Nothing is known about her childhood and youth. In 1933, she married Felix Willmann, who was a member of the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP) [today: SPÖ] and accountant of the Vienna Jewish Community (IKG).

On March 12, 1938, Paula Willmann witnessed the demise of a free and independent Austria with the invasion of the German Wehrmacht. With the occupation of Austria, German legislation is adopted and with it the 'Nuremberg Race Laws', according to which Paula and Felix Willmann are considered 'full Jews'.

On 16 March 1938, Felix Willmann is arrested. On March 16, 1938, Felix Willmann was arrested by the Gestapo and deported on April 2, 1938 on the so-called 'Prominent Transport' to the Dachau concentration camp. From there, he was transferred to the Buchenwald concentration camp on September 23, 1938. On January 16, 1939, he is released from the concentration camp with the order to leave occupied Austria as soon as possible.

On February 13, 1939, Paula Willmann and her husband leave Austria and reach New York in the same month. There they were initially supported by aid organizations before Felix Willmann worked as a dairy farmer in North Carolina for four years in 1940. During this time, she gives birth to a son and a daughter. The family changes their surname to 'Willman'. Due to a bladder infection, Felix Willman had to give up his work in agriculture and moved with his family to Pittsburg, where he worked as an accountant.

In Pittsburg, Paula Willman and her family witnessed the liberation of Austria and the re-establishment of the Republic in April and May 1945. However, the family decided to stay in the United States of America and became US citizens in October 1945. In 1946, they moved to New York, where Felix Willman again worked as an accountant. Felix Willman died there very young at the age of 65.