In April 2026, Decourselle undertook an extraordinary journey from Drancy, France, to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, retracing the route associated with Convoy 71. Her approximately 1,500-to-1,600-kilometre run over 33 days honoured those deported during the Holocaust, including children from the Izieu children’s home and survivors whose testimonies helped preserve this painful history.
Her commitment reportedly grew through her work as a nurse in a residential care home, where encounters with older people who had experienced deportation deepened her interest in preserving their stories. Although she had no known family connection to the deportations, she made remembrance a personal mission.
In October, she attended an exhibition in Pérols, near Montpellier, documenting her journey. Municipal officials in Mauguio-Carnon had also recognized her sporting achievement and dedication to Holocaust remembrance.
Decourselle’s companion, Jérémy, reportedly accompanied her throughout the memorial journey. Reports indicate that she had been battling an illness before her death, although the specific cause has not been officially confirmed in the information provided.
Her passing represents a profound loss for those inspired by her mission. Through her extraordinary journey, Justine Decourselle demonstrated that remembering history requires more than words; it demands commitment and action. Her efforts will remain a moving tribute to the lives lost and a reminder to future generations never to forget.