He had tried to save two Jewish women, mother and daughter, from the extermination camps, first by hosting them at home and avoiding prison, then by trying to have the youngest baptized.
Courageous attempts which unfortunately did not save them from death.
Thanks to this story of friendship and solidarity, which resurfaced from some notes that had remained closed in a drawer for a long time, the city of Este in the Padua area, on the occasion of 8 March, International Women's Rights Day, has decided to pay homage to the protagonist of the story which took place 80 years ago, naming a roundabout after her.
This is Clara Lelli Mami Righi, originally from Cesena who, having moved to Este in 1943, helped two Jewish Venetian citizens, Emma Ascoli Zevi and Anna Zevi, doing everything possible to avoid their deportation to Auschwitz.
"It is a source of pride for us - comments the mayor of Cesena Enzo Lattuca - to know the deeds of this fellow citizen of ours who was able to distinguish herself for courage and loyalty and who acted in the name of brotherhood. For too many years the story of Clara, belonging to a well-known family from Cesena who died in 1999 in the Milan area remained in oblivion, but today, thanks to the Municipality of Este and the research carried out by Gianluca Conte, it becomes public knowledge".
Emma and Anna owned a small shop in Este.
That December 4, 1943 was supposed to be the last day of work to earn some money useful for escaping from Veneto, following the arrival of the Wehrmacht in the city.
But the militia showed up at the shop and notified them of the arrest.
Mother and daughter cried and shouted on the way to the barracks.
Their friend Clara alone intervened and convinced the police to allow the two Jewish women to spend that night at her house.
She spared them prison, but they were then transferred to Villa Venier together with other Paduan Jews.
Clara pleaded with the prefect, tried to organize Anna's baptism, but failed.
On July 31, 1944, the two women were put on a train to Auschwitz.
Few traces remain: Emma was registered arriving at the camp and died that same day at 66 years old.
Anna is supposed to have died at the age of 31 during the transfer.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA