Obituaries
2023
Irma Brenman Pick
It is with great sadness that I write on behalf of the British Psychoanalytical Society to inform the international psychoanalytical community of the death of our colleague Mrs. Irma Brenman Pick. Naomi Shavit, a Fellow of our Society wrote to inform me of Irma’s death on August 3rd:
"Irma died this morning, peacefully with her immediate family and devoted carer with her. As many of you will know she’d been ever frailer in recent weeks. She even managed a last trip with her family to a hotel in the New Forest, returning less than 48 hours before she died. She was determined and pleased to have been able to make that final trip despite her frailty. The nursing and care ensured that her last days were as peaceful and comfortable as possible.”
Irma was born and raised in South Africa and graduated with distinction from the Social Science Faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where she had a brief involvement in radical student politics. Her early academic promise brought a prestigious award as the best student in her year. Read full obituary by Dr Vic Sedlak, President British Psychoanalytical Society
Coralie Trotter
The South African psychoanalytic community is mourning the loss of a true icon, Coralie Trotter, who passed away on March 12, 2023. As a highly respected analyst with the South African Psychoanalytical Association (SAPA), Coralie's contributions to the field were truly exceptional.
Coralie's work in the Life Esidimeni arbitration and the Brick Mother report was groundbreaking and pivotal in exposing the Gauteng Health Department's mistreatment of vulnerable psychiatric patients. Her work resulted in a landmark legal ruling and an unprecedented award to the families of those who had died. Coralie was recognized for her remarkable efforts with the inaugural IPA community award for Law and Psychoanalysis in 2019.
Coralie was a fierce advocate of human rights.She also had extensive clinical experience in various settings focusing on crisis and trauma interventions particularly for the Detainees Counseling Service and the Trauma Clinic of the Centre for Violence and Reconciliation. She was a facilitator for racial conflict resolution groups leading up to the dissolution of Apartheid.
Coralie was not only a respected analyst but also the founder of GRASP (the Groups for the reading and study of psychoanalysis). Her tireless dedication to teaching, mentoring, and supervising made her a revered figure in the field. Her fierce drive and extraordinary mind inspired all those who had the privilege of working with her.
The loss of Coralie Trotter is felt deeply by the psychoanalytic community, her loved ones, and her son Kai. We celebrate Coralie's life and mourn her passing, knowing that her remarkable work has left an indelible mark on our lives.
Elda Storck, President of the South African Psychoanalytical Association