Key Takeaways:
- Susie Gellman, a 104-year-old Canadian woman, was a codebreaker during World War II and a member of the top-secret Examination Unit (XU).
- The XU was a Canadian organization that cracked codes and ciphers used in secret and diplomatic communications, and its work was crucial in helping to end the war.
- Gellman’s work with the XU remained a secret for many years, and it wasn’t until 2022 that her contributions were publicly recognized with the unveiling of a plaque at Laurier House in Ottawa.
- Gellman’s life was marked by both personal tragedy and professional achievement, and she remained active and independent well into her later years.
- The story of the Examination Unit and its codebreakers is an important part of Canadian history, and it is only in recent years that their contributions have been widely recognized.
Introduction to Susie Gellman
Susie Gellman, a 104-year-old Canadian woman, passed away on December 22, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of secrecy and service. During World War II, Gellman was a member of the top-secret Examination Unit (XU), a Canadian organization that cracked codes and ciphers used in secret and diplomatic communications. The XU was a crucial part of the Allied war effort, and its work was shared with British and American intelligence agencies. Gellman’s contributions to the XU remained a secret for many years, and it wasn’t until 2022 that her work was publicly recognized with the unveiling of a plaque at Laurier House in Ottawa.
The Examination Unit
The Examination Unit was established in 1941, and its work was so secret that even its name was deliberately dull-sounding to discourage interest. The unit was housed with the federal scientific agency, the National Research Council, and its staff was given scientific-sounding job titles to maintain the illusion of a mundane organization. However, the XU’s work was far from mundane, and its codebreakers played a crucial role in deciphering diplomatic and military messages. The unit’s work was shared with Britain’s Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, as well as with U.S. intelligence agencies. Women made up 40% of the XU’s workforce, and they played a vital role in the unit’s success.
Gellman’s Life and Career
Gellman was born on May 8, 1921, in Ottawa, and she grew up in a family of modest means. Her father was an insurance salesman and a talented athlete, and her mother was a homemaker. Gellman had four brothers, and the family was close-knit. Tragedy struck when Gellman’s brother, Lawrence, died in a plane crash during the war. The family was devastated, and Gellman’s mother never fully recovered from the loss. Gellman joined the XU in 1943, and she worked as a typist in the Japanese Diplomatic Section. She was responsible for typing up decoded messages and sealing them in envelopes, which were then delivered to the Department of External Affairs.
Gellman’s Post-War Life
After the war, Gellman left the XU and went on to lead a fulfilling life. She married Lawrence Gellman in 1957, and the couple had a daughter, Barbara. The family lived in New York and later moved to Ottawa, where Gellman worked at the National Gallery of Canada. Gellman’s husband passed away in 1987, but she remained active and independent, enjoying long walks and spending time with her family. It wasn’t until 2022, when the plaque was unveiled at Laurier House, that Gellman’s contributions to the XU were publicly recognized.
Recognition and Legacy
The story of the Examination Unit and its codebreakers is an important part of Canadian history, and it is only in recent years that their contributions have been widely recognized. Diana Pepall, an Ottawa researcher, played a crucial role in bringing the XU’s story to light, and her efforts led to the installation of the plaque at Laurier House. Gellman’s legacy is a testament to the importance of secrecy and service, and her contributions to the war effort will never be forgotten. As Rabbi Dara Lithwick said at Gellman’s funeral, "While she experienced much loss in life, and ups and downs, in all, she lived a good, healthy life."
