Birth date: Jun 17, 1943 Death date: Aug 16, 2023
Alma Kadragic passed peacefully Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 1:25am at the Palace Renaissance in Kendall, Florida. Born in Poland June 17, 1943, she and her parents came to the United States when she was eleven years of age and Read Obituary
I am just finding out about my dear Alma. I am shocked and saddened. I send my love to her family and hope her memory will be kept alive for many years. I met Alma in Abu Dhabi where she was teaching and leading the publication of an academic journal. She came to my wedding celebration in 2013 in Spain and I then saw her briefly in Miami where she hosted me for a night in her home and took me around all over Miami. Always generous and solidary. I have missed her these past two years when I contacted her to no avail and will always miss her fun and intelligent conversation.
"People come into our lives who leave a lifelong impression - I know it sounds a bit cliché, but that's exactly who Alma was.
Yesterday, I learned from Patrick Misiewicz that Alma Kadragic passed away last August. She was my first boss and a pioneer of public relations in Poland.
In 1996, I began studying a second degree at the Center for Journalism, where I majored in Public Relations and Print Journalism (I'll delve into what the press entails some other time). The Public Relations classes were taught by Piotr Czarnowski, founder of Poland's first PR agency, First PR. After one of the classes, he offered me an internship at his agency and spoke highly of Alcat Communications, Alma Kadragic's agency, with which he co-founded the Polish PR Association and co-authored 'Public Relations, or the Promotion of Reputation.' As it turned out, Piotr and I couldn't agree on a start date. I then called Alcat, where Marcin Gruszka answered and offered me an internship. The pay was modest (I earned more selling cacti on weekends), but it was a start in public relations. That's where I met Anna Borys, who remains a friend to this day. Alcat was a well-known brand, and Alma was a renowned figure in the PR world and beyond. She had been a journalist for ABC News TV and the head of its Polish and Central Eastern European operations since 1980, meeting numerous opposition figures and more. She was particularly fond of Lech and, surprisingly, Urban. Her company was among the first members of the American Chamber of Commerce's Polish branch.
Eventually, I became Alma's deputy at Alcat. It was there that I learned about the industry, met important people, and gained invaluable experience. It was an exhilarating time of intense work, good pay, and significant networking. After two years, Alma shut down Alcat in Poland and left to teach at the University of Abu Florida in Miami. We met a few more times in Poland and stayed in touch sporadically. Last year was tough for me, and after one email, I didn't hear from her again. And now, I never will.
I had great respect and affection for Alma. But truth be told, she could be quite difficult at times. She didn't hesitate to dismiss people overnight, and if she believed she was right, there was no room for debate. Eventually, we parted ways, and I signed a non-compete agreement which barred me from working in PR for two years, prompting me to switch to marketing.
Alma was multilingual and spoke Polish quite well, despite mangling it amusingly at times. She taught me that it's better to speak a language poorly than not at all. I'll always remember her saying 'non-steti kotlet' and 'see you later alligator' to the President of Poland.
Once, Alma took me to the United States for the World Young Business Achiever competition in Orlando. It was an unforgettable experience, where I met her mother and her dog, Jingles. That trip was incredibly significant for me.
I often wonder who I would be if I hadn't crossed paths with Alma, but I'm certain I would be a different person."
Here's your text, revised for improved clarity and fluency in English:
"People come into our lives who leave a lifelong impression - I know it sounds a bit cliché, but that's exactly who Alma was.
Yesterday, I learned from Patrick Misiewicz that Alma Kadragic passed away last August. She was my first boss and a pioneer of public relations in Poland.
In 1996, I began studying a second degree at the Center for Journalism, where I majored in Public Relations and Print Journalism (I'll delve into what the press entails some other time). The Public Relations classes were taught by Piotr Czarnowski, founder of Poland's first PR agency, First PR. After one of the classes, he offered me an internship at his agency and spoke highly of Alcat Communications, Alma Kadragic's agency, with which he co-founded the Polish PR Association and co-authored 'Public Relations, or the Promotion of Reputation.' As it turned out, Piotr and I couldn't agree on a start date. I then called Alcat, where Marcin Gruszka answered and offered me an internship. The pay was modest (I earned more selling cacti on weekends), but it was a start in public relations. That's where I met Anna Borys, who remains a friend to this day. Alcat was a well-known brand, and Alma was a renowned figure in the PR world and beyond. She had been a journalist for ABC News TV and the head of its Polish and Central Eastern European operations since 1980, meeting numerous opposition figures and more. She was particularly fond of Lech and, surprisingly, Urban. Her company was among the first members of the American Chamber of Commerce's Polish branch.
Eventually, I became Alma's deputy at Alcat. It was there that I learned about the industry, met important people, and gained invaluable experience. It was an exhilarating time of intense work, good pay, and significant networking. After two years, Alma shut down Alcat in Poland and left to teach at the University of Abu Florida in Miami. We met a few more times in Poland and stayed in touch sporadically. Last year was tough for me, and after one email, I didn't hear from her again. And now, I never will.
I had great respect and affection for Alma. But truth be told, she could be quite difficult at times. She didn't hesitate to dismiss people overnight, and if she believed she was right, there was no room for debate. Eventually, we parted ways, and I signed a non-compete agreement which barred me from working in PR for two years, prompting me to switch to marketing.
Alma was multilingual and spoke Polish quite well, despite mangling it amusingly at times. She taught me that it's better to speak a language poorly than not at all. I'll always remember her saying 'non-steti kotlet' and 'see you later alligator' to the President of Poland.
Once, Alma took me to the United States for the World Young Business Achiever competition in Orlando. It was an unforgettable experience, where I met her mother and her dog, Jingles. That trip was incredibly significant for me.
I often wonder who I would be if I hadn't crossed paths with Alma, but I'm certain I would be a different person."
This revised version maintains the essence of your original story while ensuring the English is clear and idiomatic.
Tribute to Alma Kadragic
From the Schaffer & Blain Families in Australia
Our cousin Alma’s story began in Europe during World War II. Her mother Katherine, (nee Schaffer), was the eldest of 3 siblings. The Schaffer family lived in Yugoslavia, which is today the country of Croatia. Alma was born towards the end of the war, a tumultuous time with many families lucky enough to escape from Hitler’s clutches and forced to relocate to foreign lands. So it was that all 3 Schaffer siblings, having survived the war, ended up living on different continents.
Katherine, her husband Al & their daughter Alma in the USA, while her brothers - George & Andrew, together with their families ended up in Western Australia.
George Schaffer had two children – Danielle & John – and as younger cousins to Alma, remained in touch and even though they lived on the other side of the World from each other, did manage to get together from time to time in Perth, New York, Florida & even Dubai (during Alma’s Abu Dhabi years).
Alma & her Mother Kato (as she was known) came to Perth on a number of occasions, including as secret guests for her Uncle George’s (who Alma nicknamed Rocky) retirement dinner as well as for Danielle’s sons’ wedding in 2005. We fondly remember that Alma & Kato were truly best friends and always inseparable.
From Danielle:
I will always treasure the memories of Alma & I, in our early twenties, galivanting around London & Brussels, feeling just so grown up & independent & then some years later, during a trip to New York, being taken, together with my husband Nick to the ABC Studios at 5.00am in the morning to watch in awe, as “Good Morning America” went to air, produced by our very clever cousin Alma!
Another highlight, far more recently, during the time that Alma was teaching English to young female university students in Abu Dhabi, we met in Dubai for what was a very memorable few days. Alma was a wonderful tour guide!
From John:
Alma was truly a global citizen and each time our family got together with her was in a different city. From high tea in London, to Christmas lunch with her, Kato & Al in Long Island in 1994, to dinner in New York in 2017. There are so many memories but one thing always remained constant – discussions about “foodie boodie” and where we were sharing our next meal (often on the same day).
Alma had many career highlights but one that shines was when she was posted to Poland as a news producer for ABC America. She learnt Polish and met and interviewed Lech Walesa – the first democratically elected President and subsequent Nobel Peace Prize winner.
In 2014 my daughter Brooke moved to New York and spent some wonderful times with Alma, as did my wife Debbie and I.
Christmas lunch, in 1994, in Long Island:
Alma had prepared a small electric grill to cook steaks for lunch. We still remember watching their dog, Jingles, licking each piece of steak as it was cooking. Alma didn’t bat an eyelid, just walked outside and flipped over the steaks. About a minute later the dog was back, to lick the other side of the steaks. Needless to say, we quickly lost our appetites.
From Danielle & John:
We speak for all the family in Australia when we say how very grateful we are to Nyda for looking after our dear cousin Alma over many years and especially in recent times. Brooke & Grant were able to visit Alma just a few weeks ago in Miami & this was only made possible by Alma’s very special friend Nyda.
Alma - we will miss you and always remember the good times. May you rest in peace.
Danielle, Nick, Tania, Alex Blain & Family
John, Debbie, Grant, Todd, Brooke Schaffer & Family
xoxo
Tribute to Alma Kadragic
From the Schaffer & Blain Families in Australia
Our cousin Alma’s story began in Europe during World War II. Her mother Katherine, (nee Schaffer), was the eldest of 3 siblings. The Schaffer family lived in Yugoslavia, which is today the country of Croatia. Alma was born towards the end of the war, a tumultuous time with many families lucky enough to escape from Hitler’s clutches and forced to relocate to foreign lands. So it was that all 3 Schaffer siblings, having survived the war, ended up living on different continents.
Katherine, her husband Al & their daughter Alma in the USA, while her brothers - George & Andrew, together with their families ended up in Western Australia.
George Schaffer had two children – Danielle & John – and as younger cousins to Alma, remained in touch and even though they lived on the other side of the World from each other, did manage to get together from time to time in Perth, New York, Florida & even Dubai (during Alma’s Abu Dhabi years).
Alma & her Mother Kato (as she was known) came to Perth on a number of occasions, including as secret guests for her Uncle George’s (who Alma nicknamed Rocky) retirement dinner as well as for Danielle’s sons’ wedding in 2005. We fondly remember that Alma & Kato were truly best friends and always inseparable.
From Danielle:
I will always treasure the memories of Alma & I, in our early twenties, galivanting around London & Brussels, feeling just so grown up & independent & then some years later, during a trip to New York, being taken, together with my husband Nick to the ABC Studios at 5.00am in the morning to watch in awe, as “Good Morning America” went to air, produced by our very clever cousin Alma!
Another highlight, far more recently, during the time that Alma was teaching English to young female university students in Abu Dhabi, we met in Dubai for what was a very memorable few days. Alma was a wonderful tour guide!
From John:
Alma was truly a global citizen and each time our family got together with her was in a different city. From high tea in London, to Christmas lunch with her, Kato & Al in Long Island in 1994, to dinner in New York in 2017. There are so many memories but one thing always remained constant – discussions about “foodie boodie” and where we were sharing our next meal (often on the same day).
Alma had many career highlights but one that shines was when she was posted to Poland as a news producer for ABC America. She learnt Polish and met and interviewed Lech Walesa – the first democratically elected President and subsequent Nobel Peace Prize winner.
In 2014 my daughter Brooke moved to New York and spent some wonderful times with Alma, as did my wife Debbie and I.
Christmas lunch, in 1994, in Long Island:
Alma had prepared a small electric grill to cook steaks for lunch. We still remember watching their dog, Jingles, licking each piece of steak as it was cooking. Alma didn’t bat an eyelid, just walked outside and flipped over the steaks. About a minute later the dog was back, to lick the other side of the steaks. Needless to say, we quickly lost our appetites.
From Danielle & John:
We speak for all the family in Australia when we say how very grateful we are to Nyda for looking after our dear cousin Alma over many years and especially in recent times. Brooke & Grant were able to visit Alma just a few weeks ago in Miami & this was only made possible by Alma’s very special friend Nyda.
Alma - we will miss you and always remember the good times. May you rest in peace.
Danielle, Nick, Tania & Alex Blain & Family,
John, Debbie, Grant, Todd &
Despite the physical distance that separated us, you always kept the roots of your homeland close to your heart. Your unwavering connection to your native country was a testament to your love and respect for your heritage.
But it wasn’t just the place itself that held your heart; it was the people. Your efforts to maintain those connections, to keep those bonds alive across borders and time zones, were proof of your dedication to your family and community.
As we reflect on the impact you’ve had on our lives, you have left a significant mark. Your stories, your wisdom, and your warmth enriched us for the decades we have known you. You passed down a treasure trove of memories and stories that we will continue to cherish and share with generations to come.
You have shown us the value of staying connected and cherishing family. These lessons are your legacy, and they will continue to inspire us as we remember you with love and gratitude.
From Bosnia with love.
Rest in peace, dear Alma.
Dija, Sabit, Almir, Ada, Sabina, Aldin, Dino, Ema and Faris
Konjhodzic
On behalf of Alma's fellow Coral Gables Rotarians, we express our deep sorrow for Alma's passing and express to her family our sincere condolences. She was a wonderful member and a great gal!! May eternal rest be hers.
My condolences to Alma’s family and friends. As a neighbor, I only learned about Alma’s passing this afternoon and regret tremendously not having had a chance to say goodbye.
Extraordinary woman, Alma had a full and astounding life. She leaves a legacy that is larger than the international community she served with passion, wisdom and compassion for her fellow human beings.
Thank you Alma, for being such a rare human being, a role model, who leaves an incredible example to be admired and followed. Thank you for all you gave us. Rainbow and I will miss you a lot. RIP my friend.
Martha Hager
Some memories of Alma from the Australian side of her family; Alma’s mothers side - Katherine. Sending love from Perth, Australia.
