Tribute: Ninette Sapir

TRIBUTE

Ninette Sapir lived from 26 February 1960 to 5 April 2022.

Ninette and her first husband came to the UK from their native Israel in 1985, to study acupuncture at the International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM). Later, when she and Roni had separated, she met Andrew, her second husband, at ICOM. Together they have two children.

Her parents both died in the last two years and she was unable to be with them at that time due to Covid restrictions and travelling to Israel.

Ninette died of pancreatic cancer and was at home with the love of her family and community surrounding her.

The words written here – from friends, colleagues, loved ones, patients – are a tribute to her qualities as a teacher and practitioner, to who she is in our world.

Elio Basagni, principal of ICOM: Ninette has been present during my whole professional life as an acupuncturist. In 2012 we worked together as assistant programme leaders coordinating the ICOM. Clinic was Ninette’s natural environment, the physical and spiritual space where she thrived.

Despite her broad competence, achieved over more than 30 years of clinical practice, Ninette was very humble. Colleagues, students and patients loved her deeply for her kindness, generosity, understanding and sensitivity. She was an excellent and talented practitioner, a true five element and stems and branches scholar, and a meticulous and attentive teacher. However, what I could see through the sweetness of her eyes was, most of all, compassion.

When in September 2021, she asked to take a sabbatical year from clinical teachings, I told her that it was impossible for me to imagine the college without her, even for just one year. To this day I still don’t know how to reconcile with the idea of her leaving these shores with such a little notice; but I know that ICOM, the place she loved so deeply and to which she had devoted half of her life, will not be the same without her. So long sweet soul.

Ioonah Woods, regional group coordinator: Ninette Sapir gave of her kindness to everyone. Her biography would be a book not an obituary.

She was one of the wise people who gracefully accept all people. Ninette was one of the legendary practitioners and teachers of Chinese medicine who have passed on more than just knowledge and wisdom to their students. She is deeply missed by her family Andrew, Karima and Narayan and the community here in Forest Row.

For many years Ninette ran the BAcC Ashdown Forest and West Sussex regional group. Working alongside her I observed how she always gave space with ease and dignity to all, recent graduates or well-seasoned practitioners, embracing ideas and often bringing in case papers of her own to offer to the group to discuss.

Ninette also joined our Macmillan support centre clinic in the local hospital, she gave valuable advice on improving the care we give, influencing the lives of those who are dealing with cancer.

During the first lockdown she was on the phone supporting members of the group, while researching and sharing the first Chinese medical documents coming from China, helping us understand how Covid affected patients, with treatment ideas and tongue analysis. Always active, always learning, always caring.

I appreciate the tone of her voice that I still hear, feel the presence she gave is now imprinted in those she met. As I meet her clients in our community, we always talk about her with gratitude and love, appreciating her generosity of spirit in her healing capacity.

Deborah Woolf, teacher at ICOM: I was lucky enough to meet and study, then later also teach with Ninette from 1990 onwards. She became a friend, my practitioner, and a fellow teacher. Ninette was lifelong learner, always interested in consolidating and expanding her understanding of the classics. She was a thoughtful and very caring teacher, with a special talent in clinic: she was inspiring in her attention to detail and careful explanations of the teachings she had received. I will miss her kindness and generosity.

Andrew Higgo, husband and father to their children: The loss of this beautiful soul is still raw for me, so I shall rely on the words of others to paint a picture of a gift to all who met her, to the wife, the mother and healer.

The resounding sentiment that Ninette received in the weeks before she passed was one of awe and appreciation for her gifts as a healer. As one patient said of her, ‘Ninette didn’t need to worry about where to put a needle, the healing was in her presence!’ Yet, remarkably, she said to me, shortly after being diagnosed, that she hoped she had made a difference for others. Follows just a few words sent to her before she passed:

‘You will be told by many, many people I am sure, just how much you have meant to them, and what it has meant to have you in their lives. I suppose that this is all we can usefully say then, that while we are immensely saddened, we are also grateful beyond words that you moved into our orbit, even if much more briefly than we could ever have imagined. For this to happen to such a graceful, wonderful soul is beyond heartbreaking…’

‘In those times, I have admired your spirit and have always appreciated your strong and kind input into ICOM meetings and regional groups. You are an inspiring woman and have inspired me as an acupuncturist, and as a person.’

‘I just wanted to let you know of the immense love and gratitude I feel for you. I feel truly blessed to have been your student; learning from a true sage, your wisdom and your being moulded in one.’

‘I love all that you are, all that we did together and your presence. My life, life will not be the same without you and I thank you for adding your colours into mine.’