Mussert Marinus & Alida (Paats)

Mussert, Marinus Leendert & Alida (Paats) Marinus and Alida Mussert lived in a small house in Leiden, South Holland, with their infant daughter. Alida’s sister, Juliana Martina Paats*, was the director of a nursing home for the elderly in Apeldoorn and a key member of the Dutch underground in the region. Marinus worked with Juliana in hiding people, obtaining food coupons for them, and ensuring their safety while they were in transit between hiding places. When the situation of Jews in the Netherlands became particularly dangerous, an ophthalmic surgeon, who was a friend of the elderly and blind Dr. Julius Leydesdorff of Meppel, admitted the doctor to the St. Lidwina Clinic in Apeldoorn under the pretense that the he needed eye surgery. Juliana Paats was also a family friend of the Leydesdorffs, and when she learned that the Germans intended to deport all Jewish patients she immediately contacted Marinus Mussert. That same day, Marinus rushed to the clinic and brought Dr. Leydesdorff to the safety of his own home, where he remained for several months until he was found a new hiding place in Marken. During his time with the Musserts, the doctor’s two granddaughters were brought to visit him there. When the Germans picked up a Mr. Leverpoll for disobeying an order, his wife was left alone with their two daughters, six-year-old Johanna (Hannie) and two-year-old Henriette. The three of them went into hiding in Oosterbeek but were later betrayed. Juliana Paats helped them to escape and brought Mrs. Leverpoll to Marinus and Alida’s home. Mrs. Leverpoll was initially fearful because Mussert was also the surname of the notorious leader of the Dutch National Socialist Movement, but Juliana reassured her that there was no connection. Mrs. Leverpoll remained in the small Mussert home for a month until Marinus could find her an alternative hiding place. When visitors came, they would hide in the baby’s room. The Musserts acted out of a sense of compassion and endangeredthemselves and their infant for Jews who desperately needed a safe haven. On November 28, 1989, Yad Vashem recognized Marinus Leendert Mussert and his wife, Alida Mussert-Paats, as Righteous Among the Nations.