Lily’s father Benjamin was born in Poland and emigrated to France from Germany in 1924. Her mother Lea was born in Hersheim and immigrated to France with Benjamin after they married. Benjamin and Lea were arrested in Pont-a-Mousson, France on July 19, 1942 by the French police, witnessed by their four daughters.
They were taken by bus to Nancy, the local assembly point, and then put on and SNCF Convoy bound for Drancy. On July 27, 1942, they were loaded onto SNCF Convoy No. 11 from Drancy to Auschwitz. It is believed that Lea was taken directly to the gas chambers upon arrival. During a visit to Auschwitz, Lily was able to obtain a death certificate for Benjamin declaring he died on August 28, 1942.
“… I stood beneath the little window near the rear of the left-hand side of the train. Clearly, here was our last chance. … I closed my eyes wearily, and then I heard a woman’s voice saying, ‘If you jump, maybe you’ll be able to tell the story. Who else will tell this story?’” – Leo Bretholz
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