Rose Girone, widely recognized as the oldest living Holocaust survivor and a dedicated proponent of preserving the narratives of survivors, has passed away at the age of 113. Her passing on Monday in New York was confirmed by the Claims Conference, a group focused on Jewish material claims against Germany.
“Rose exemplified resilience, and it is now our duty to honor her memory by continuing her work,” stated Greg Schneider, the executive vice president of the Claims Conference, in a statement released on Thursday. “The crucial lessons taught by the Holocaust must not vanish with those who experienced its horrors firsthand.”
Born on January 13, 1912, in Janow, Poland, Girone’s early life saw her family relocate to Hamburg, Germany, when she was six years old. During a filmed interview with the USC Shoah Foundation in 1996, she reflected on her lost aspirations, stating, “Hitler seized power in 1933, and that marked the end for everyone.”
A study by the Claims Conference last year indicated that around 245,000 Holocaust survivors remain scattered over more than 90 countries, although their numbers dwindle as time progresses. The survivors’ median age is recorded at 86, leaving many in delicate health.
The Holocaust claimed the lives of six million European Jews along with countless individuals from other minority groups, all victims of Nazi and collaborator atrocities. Schneider emphasized the importance of sharing these historical lessons, saying, “With each passing of a survivor, we are reminded of the necessity to impart the lessons of the Holocaust urgently.”
In 1937, Girone entered into an arranged marriage with Julius Mannheim. Her life took a harrowing turn while nine months pregnant in Breslau (modern-day Wroclaw, Poland) when the Nazis arrived to arrest Mannheim and send him to Buchenwald concentration camp. Although threatened herself, her pregnancy saved her from immediate deportation.
After giving birth to her daughter Reha in 1938, Girone managed to acquire Chinese visas via relatives in London, securing her husband’s release. The family then embarked on a journey from Genoa, Italy, to Japanese-occupied Shanghai, clutching only essentials.
Initially, Mannheim made a living trading secondhand items until he could afford a taxi business, while Girone contributed by knitting sweaters. However, their lives were disrupted in 1941 when Jewish refugees were confined to a ghetto, where the family endured harsh living conditions amidst pest infestations.
Tragic losses continued as Girone’s father-in-law fell ill and perished, and the family struggled under the oppressive rule of a self-proclaimed “King of the Jews.” The Japanese military’s cruelty in the region compounded their dire existence.
News from war-torn Europe reached them as whispered rumors, since British radios were banned. Post-war liberation allowed Girone to re-establish contact with her American relatives, leading to their immigration to San Francisco in 1947 with only $80, hidden strategically in buttons.
Settling in New York City, Girone later started a knitting shop with her mother’s assistance and reunited with her brother, who had gained U.S. citizenship through military service. The siblings had not seen each other for 17 years.
Girone eventually divorced Mannheim and, in 1968, met Jack Girone—on the day her granddaughter was born—marrying him the following year. Jack passed away in 1990, leaving Rose with cherished memories.
Reflecting on her tumultuous journey in a 1996 interview, Girone imparted a message to her daughter and granddaughter: “No matter how dire circumstances seem, a silver lining can always emerge.” Her wisdom continues to inspire generations as the world endeavors to remember and learn from her experiences.
