Laurier Maria ; Sister: Leonie ; Sister: Berthe ; Sister: Marguerite ; Sister: Anna

Laurier, Anna Laurier, Berthe Laurier, Léonie Laurier, Maria Laurier, Marguerite Of the five Laurier sisters, three lived in Brussels and two in Orroir, west of Ronse/Renaix in the Henegouwen/Hainaut province, where they operated a family guesthouse, “La Laiterie.” Berthe, Maria, and Marguerite, who lived in Brussels, were connected with a resistance group, probably the Armée Secrète. In collusion with the two sisters, in Orroir, it was decided to transfer Jewish children saved by the Resistance to the Laiterie. In Brussels, Berthe and Maria would pick up the children, and take them to Marguerite’s home for a few days stay; then, they moved them to the Orroir guesthouse. This way, eight children found refuge in the Laiterie from 1943 until the end of the occupation in September 1944, including René Knoll, baby Alfred Knoll, René’s half brother; baby Monique; Raymonde Broner, Armand Silberstein, Gaby Silberman and Arthur Silberman. The sisters from Brussels would bring food coupons once a month as well as some money, which they obtained from a Jewish organization. Initially, two of the children’s parents also brought food stamps from time to time, until this proved too risky. When asked about the children, the Laurier sisters stated that they were from Antwerp, but had to leave the city due to air bombardments. In addition, Berthe Laurier, who was the most active in the Resistance, found hiding places for the parents of Armand Silberstein (Regina and René) and the mother of Alfred Knoll (Adèla), and provided them with food coupons. One day, the Gestapo raided the apartment in Brussels. Nothing was found, however, the sisters Laurier were taken for questioning. Immediately, Anna and Léonie in the Laiterie were warned, and they moved all the children to temporary hiding places in the area. A number of weeks later they all returned to the Laiterie. After the war, Anna Laurier was honored by the Belgian Jewish community. On November 17, 1993, YadVashem recognized Berthe, Maria, Léonie, Marguerite and Anna Laurier, as Righteous Among the Nations.