Oude Stad in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Elisabeth Cats-Speelman

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 20, 2025

1. Elisabeth Cats-Speelman stolperstein

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hier woonde
Elisabeth
Cats-Speelman
Geb. 1890
Gedeporteerd 6-4-1943
uit Westerbork
Vermoord 9-4-1943
Sobibor

(Here lived Elisabeth Cats-Speelman, born 1890. Deported April 6, 1943 from Westerbork. Murdered April 9, 1943 in Sobibor.)

Erected 2023.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Stolpersteine series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1943.

Location. 52° 23.15′ N, 4° 38.144′ E. Memorial is in Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Oude Stad. It is on Parklaan, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Parklaan 14A, Haarlem, Noord-Holland 2011 KV, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

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this marker: Minny Hanny Cats (here, next to this marker); Wigbolt Ripperda and Kenau Simonstochter Hasselaer (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hannie Schaft (about 180 meters away); Hofje van Oorschot (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Station (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Jansridder Statue (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Infirmerie / Infirmary (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Luthers Hofje / Lutheran Almshouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haarlem.

Also see . . . Stumbling Stones Parklaan 14a (Traces of War). Excerpt:

Elisabeth (Betsy) Speelman was the middle daughter in a Rotterdam family with three daughters. She married Lion Cats, who owned a textile wholesaler. When Lion died in March 1940 at the age of 54, Elisabeth continued to live with her daughter Minny Hanny at Parklaan 14A. Elisabeth owned the property downstairs, which had been used as business space for her husband's textile wholesaler. She had no profession, but is mentioned as a representative of a Haarlem branch of an association for the protection of Jewish girls.

In October 1942, the Haarlem
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 20, 2025

2. Elisabeth Cats-Speelman stolperstein
The stolperstein for Elisabeth Cats-Speelman is visible here next that of her daughter, Minny Hanny Cats.
police issued a search warrant against Elisabeth Cats-Speelman and her daughter Minny Hanny Cats because they were suspected of having 'changed their place of residence without having the required permit'. This means that they were in hiding. Because their house had been requisitioned by the Nazis, they lived at Schotersingel 7 for a short time, after which they went into hiding near Breda. There they were discovered, possibly through betrayal.

On February 26, 1943, Betsy and Minny arrived in camp Vught. From here they were deported to Westerbork on March 31, 1943 with a penal transport. There they ended up in barrack 57, where the prisoners had to dismantle batteries. On April 6, 1943 they were transported to Sobibor. On arrival in Sobibor on April 9, 1943, Elisabeth was immediately murdered.

Transport from Westerbork to Sobibor on April 6, 1943. Murdered in Sobibor on April 9, 1943. She was 52 years old.

(Submitted on June 15, 2025.)

Additional keywords. struikelsteen

Elisabeth Cats-Speelman stolperstein - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 20, 2025

3. Elisabeth Cats-Speelman stolperstein - wider view

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.