Photography: AI.
At 94 years old, a resident* of a Romarimontain EHPAD shares a life story rich in significant events, oscillating between joy and suffering. Born in 1930, she spent her early years in Fresse-sur-Moselle, at the heart of the turmoil of the Second World War, memories of which remain etched in her memory.
In 2022, she joined a nursing home, a new environment that offers her comfort and security. “It was wonderful, but it wasn’t easy,” she says, recalling a life full of challenges. For 43 years, she worked in the Lesses weaving mill in Fresse-sur-Moselle, contributing to the dynamism of her village.
Her family history is deeply linked to the War. Her father, a hero of Verdun, is listed in the golden book of heroes of the battle. He returned from this first war at the age of 27. At that time, she had not yet seen the light of day.
It was at the age of 9, in 1939, that she experienced the War. She recalls poignant memories of her childhood during the war, describing the pain of human losses, including that of her godfather, who died in prison after a bombing raid in Germany. Prejudice was also difficult: “The French saw us as enemies on the Bussang side, where we were called the Boches of the East,” she recalls.
Fresse-sur-Moselle was liberated on November 26, at a time when the Nazis were threatening to burn the villages to the ground. The fighting was long and difficult, but the liberation by the African Tabors marked a turning point. These moments of fear and sadness were tempered by intense joy at the liberation, and she saw her region reborn with the growth of industries.
In 1952, she married an Italian who came to France to help rebuild the country, an act that symbolized hope and solidarity after years of war. Today, she expresses her admiration for Charles de Gaulle, a man she considers a pillar of modern France.
Her story is a tribute to human resilience, to the ability to overcome adversity. Through her memories, she reminds each of us of the importance of peace and solidarity. Her life, a true testament of courage and hope, continues to inspire those around her. Within the EHPAD she joined, she continues to be interested in current politics and expresses a very clear opinion that makes the supervisory staff smile. She never fails to bluff everyone she meets, with her historical knowledge and her intact memory for dates, such as the first step on the Moon, the sinking of the Titanic, but also the elections of the presidents of the French Republic.
*The testimony is anonymous at the request of this resident.
