Hannah Siton
Hannah was born in Magdiel (now Hod Hasharon), the eldest daughter of Penina and Shlomo Weissblatt, of blessed memory. Her parents, Holocaust survivors from Poland, met and married in Israel, and were blessed with the births of Danny and Pessi. Penina, her mother, was the homemaker, while Shlomo, her father, worked tirelessly in agriculture throughout his life. Their home was filled with Yiddish, observing kosher traditions, and celebrating Jewish holidays. It was a modest and pleasant home, where family members treated each other with respect and kindness. It was a happy childhood, in a loving home with a large yard where her father had built playground equipment.
She completed her high-school studies at the Sharon School for Administration and Secretarial Studies in Ra'anana. For two years, she worked as a clerk at Paz-Gaz until her enlistment in the army. After serving six months in the Nahal Brigade at Kibbutz Sasa, she served in the Golani Brigade and was discharged in 1970. A year later, she married Yitzhak Siton, who was nicknamed "Zizi," and they were blessed with the births of their children, Lior, Tal, Noa, and Ran. Hannah dedicated herself to caring for her children and worked as a secretary at the Amal school and later at the Hod school for special education.
Hannah was a wonderful mother, granting her children freedom and independence, while standing by them in both joyful and difficult moments. She was the glue that held the family together. When her husband, Yitzhak, began working in Africa in 2001, she was always there - close to her children and grandchildren, maintaining a strong and united family unit. Hannah was a true friend to her close friends, always with a wide smile and an enthusiast for some "action", knowing how to bring everyone out for activities and experiences.
Throughout her life, Hannah sought out the richness of life in every aspect. She was surrounded by many friends, with her beloved sister Pessi by her side. They embarked on outstanding trips, scaling mountains and fulfilling dreams together, as if they had just been released from the army. China, Japan, India, Nepal. During the time spent at home, she discovered a passion for art, painting, and embroidery. She was always energetic, positive, and full of love for life.
Hannah and Pessi were sisters and friends in heart and soul. The were loving and supportive of each other endlessly. They never argued, and genuinely enjoyed being together. They were inseparable.
And thus, they found themselves together on the evening of Simchat Torah. Hannah, Yitzhak, and their son Tal spent the holiday with Pessi and her children on Kibbutz Be'eri. The family gathered for the Friday night meal as usual. They danced and sang together in the family dining room. The next day, on Saturday, the 7th of October, at 6:30 in the morning, with the sound of sirens, they all entered the safe room. From the safe room, Hannah continued to correspond and talk with her children and friends. The connection was severed around noon when the terrorists broke into the house and the safe room. According to testimonies, Yitzhak was shot and killed on the spot while blocking the door with his body, along with Tal, who was also injured in the knee and remained wounded and bleeding while the terrorists rounded up more people from neighboring houses. For many hours, a battle raged between a large force of terrorists and IDF and security forces. Towards the evening, tank shells were fired at the house. Out of 14 residents of the settlement, two women remained alive to tell the last moments.
Hannah was a people-person; she saw others truly, full of goodwill and caring towards those around her. That's why it was so easy to share experiences with her, to consult with her, and there was no one who did not love her. Straightforward and honest, she spoke the truth even when it was not easy to hear, and above all, she was genuine, free from any pretense or evil. She always acted out of love and concern for others. From the safe room, she managed to write to her children, "Lucky we are here, and Pessi is not alone." That's who Hannah was.
She was 73 at her death.
May her memory be blessed
