Remembering Rose Girone: A Life of Resilience and Knitting at 113
Rose Girone, the resilient Holocaust survivor who lived a whopping 113 years, passed away peacefully due to old age on February 24. Her daughter, Reha Bennicasa, shared this news, marking the end of an extraordinary life that began in Janov, Poland, in 1912. Just a month before her passing, the world celebrated her birthday, and at that time, she joyfully proclaimed her secret to longevity: living with a purpose, having wonderful children, and indulging in plenty of dark chocolate. Who knew chocolate could be an elixir for life?
Girone’s saga isn’t just about years on the clock; it’s about a fierce spirit navigating the darkest chapters of history. In 1938, she married Julius Mannheim in Germany, just as the storm of Nazi oppression began sweeping across Europe. While expecting her first child in 1939, her husband was snatched away and sent to the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. Talk about a plot twist! But instead of succumbing to despair, the pair managed to escape to Shanghai—a safe haven for many Jews during World War II. There, Girone took up knitting (like a straight-up boss), a hobby that would keep her connected to the creative world when she eventually moved to the States in 1947.
Settling in Queens, New York, she opened not one, but two knitting stores and continued to knit until she was nearly 102. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is! Although she divorced Mannheim in 1968, she found love again with Jack Girone. After his passing, she bravely lived alone until family support became necessary at the age of 103.
Girone’s daughter painted a vivid picture of her mom, saying, “She was a strong lady, resilient. She made the best of terrible situations.” The world will surely miss this “terrific lady” who reminded us all that with a little strength and a dash of chocolate, one can endure the worst life throws their way. Rose Girone leaves behind a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Fox 5 New York, Long Island Herald
