Ruta Kron, who went by Ruth Kron Sigal, after making her way to Canada following the Holocaust, is seen in a handout family photo with her parents in Palanga, Lithuania, in 1939, used for the cover art for her posthumous memoir "Ruta's Closet". Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ruth Kron Sigal
Ruth Kron Sigal, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated her life to educating future generations, has been posthumously honoured by the City of Vancouver. On April 9, the city officially declared it "Ruth Kron Sigal Day" in recognition of her tireless work in sharing the story of her family’s suffering during the Holocaust in Lithuania.
Though Sigal passed away in 2008 at the age of 72, her legacy continues through her memoir, Ruta’s Closet. Originally published in 2011 by the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, the book has now been re-released with new material, thanks to journalist and author Keith Morgan.
A Life Remembered Through Words
Sigal spent her later years speaking at schools and events, ensuring younger generations understood the horrors faced by Jewish families during the Second World War. Her stories from the Shavl Ghetto have touched thousands.
Morgan, who first met Sigal while working as a journalist in Vancouver, was moved by her story. In 1997, he wrote a column about her. By 2000, he had travelled with her to Lithuania. That journey sparked a deeper exploration into her past and led to a four-part educational series published in The Province newspaper.
Fulfilling a Promise
Morgan had made a solemn vow to Sigal on her deathbed — that he would complete and share her story with the world. He fulfilled that promise with the first publication of Ruta’s Closet. A year after its initial release, the book was picked up by a U.K. publisher and distributed more widely.
Now, with the third edition, the book is set to reach audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. This edition includes further research, and Morgan is working on a companion website and podcast to expand Sigal’s story even more.
A Living Legacy of Ruth Kron Sigal
Sigal’s memoir not only reflects her own voice but also incorporates accounts from her father's unpublished memoir. Morgan spent years validating these stories through survivor interviews and historical records. He sees the book as a growing body of work — one that continues to evolve as new pieces of information emerge.
“People keep reaching out with more stories, more details,” Morgan says. “I get the feeling that in another five years, I might have the full picture.”
A Story That Must Be Told
As Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches on April 24, the renewed attention to Sigal’s life and work feels especially meaningful. Morgan remains committed to preserving her memory, saying he’ll continue sharing her story for as long as he can.
“I’m not Jewish, but this became my mission,” he says. “There’s no end to it for me.”
Morgan plans to speak at the ceremony honouring Ruth Kron Sigal Day — a fitting tribute to a woman whose courage and voice refuse to fade.
