Celine Morali started saving lives in May, 1940 and she continued through September, 1942. In all, approximately 300 Jewish refugees and prisoners of war escaping Nazi Germany made their way to her hardware store, Quinquaillerie ROMO, 113 rue de Patay in Paris. In small groups they came, hiding either below the store in the basement or above it in the family living quarters. Her teenage daughter, Simone, practiced the piano to help mask the sound of hidden refugees. After a few days those in hiding would leave in a truck driven by Alfred Fuhrman. They were spirited over the border at Chalon-sûr-Saône to hiding places in the southern Zone.
Among those saved was the family of Emile Zenatti: son Claude, daughter Arlette, wife Lucie, and Lucie’s sister Marietta Bloch. Arlette and Claude Zenatti were 11 and 13 years old at liberation. It was their testimony that resulted in Celine Morali posthumously receiving Yad Vashem’s highest honor, Righteous Among the Nations, on June 29, 2015. The award ceremony will take place 3 pm Monday April 18 at the 3rd Arrondissement Mairie, 2 rue Eugene Spuller, Paris. The public is invited.
Among those saved was the family of Emile Zenatti: son Claude, daughter Arlette, wife Lucie, and Lucie’s sister Marietta Bloch. Arlette and Claude Zenatti were 11 and 13 years old at liberation. It was their testimony that resulted in Celine Morali posthumously receiving Yad Vashem’s highest honor, Righteous Among the Nations, on June 29, 2015. The award ceremony will take place 3 pm Monday April 18 at the 3rd Arrondissement Mairie, 2 rue Eugene Spuller, Paris. The public is invited.