Poce Maria ; Mother: Virginia

Poce, Maria Poce, Virginia Dr. Augusto Fiorentini, a Jewish physician, lived in Rome with his wife, Margherita (née Della Setta), and his son Giorgio (b. 1931). Another son, Roberto, was away in Switzerland studying medicine. In 1938 Dr. Fiorentini was banned from practicing medicine, under the anti-Jewish legislation in Italy (“leggi razziali”). But in the autumn of 1943, following Italy’s capitulation and its occupation by Germany, the situation became dramatically dangerous for Jews. After September 8, 1943, many Jews began seeking help and shelter. On October 16, 1943, Dr. Fiorentini knocked on the door of one of his patients, a non-Jewish woman by the name of Maria Poce. Poce, who had been on friendly terms with her physician, opened the door to find him, his wife, and their 12-year-old son. Dr. Fiorentini pleaded with her to help them, asking her to shelter them from their imminent arrest. Maria and her elderly mother, Virginia, welcomed them. For the following months the Fiorentinis remained with Maria and Virginia. Augusto and Margherita were given a small room at the end of a long corridor, which would be sealed off with stacked furniture in times of danger; Giorgio slept in Maria’s bed. Hiding the Jews in their home was extremely dangerous, especially given the fact that Maria gave private lessons in the apartment to high school students. In February 1944 it was arranged for Giorgio to join his brother in Switzerland, and he managed to be cross the border safely. The Fiorentinis continued to live with Maria and Virginia until Rome was liberated in June 1944. On December 18, 2012, Yad Vashem recognized Maria Poce and her mother, Virginia Poce, as Righteous Among the Nations.