Freke Quirine Vuijst-Klein died of cancer on September 4th, her 68th birthday, at her home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She was an award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, and foreign correspondent for Dutch media.
Vuijst-Klein was the daughter of the late Reverend Jan Vuijst and Tina de Ridder-Vuijst, both of whom were recognized as Righteous Gentiles during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Vuijst-Klein was a reporter for the Dutch newsmagazine, Vrij Nederland, since graduation from the Royal School of Journalism in the The Hague. Vrij Nederland began as an underground resistance newspaper during the Nazi Occupation.
Vuijst-Klein’s films included “Keep on Walking” (the 2002 Paul Robeson Award, First Prize) and “Consuming Hunger” (the 1988 World Hunger Media Award, First Prize). Most recently, she translated and narrated the book she co-wrote, “Alias Fortezza — a Hacker’s Diary” for American publication (Audible Audio Books.)
She is survived by her husband, Daniel M. Klein, of Great Barrington, her daughter, Samara Q. Klein of Housatonic, Samara’s partner Daniel M. Bialowas, and her granddaughter Eliana Q. Bialowas. She is also survived by her sister, Marjan Q. Vuijst and her brother, Peter Q. Vuijst, both of The Netherlands.
A convert to Judaism, Ms. Vujst was buried at the Jewish cemetery in Great Barrington on September 6th, Rabbi Barbara Cohen officiating.
