Justine Decourselle Accident, Occitanie, France Death, Obituary: French Memorial Runner Dies at 25

Justine Decourselle, a young French woman remembered for her extraordinary commitment to Holocaust remembrance, has died at the age of 25. Her death on Thursday, October 15, 2026, has prompted tributes from communities in France, where she inspired others through her courage, compassion and determination to ensure the victims of deportation were never forgotten.

Decourselle became widely recognized for her memorial project, La Course contre l’oubli, translated as “The Race Against Forgetting.” In April 2026, she undertook a demanding journey from Drancy, France, to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, retracing the route associated with Convoy 71, which deported Jewish prisoners during the Holocaust. Her run covered approximately 1,500 to 1,600 kilometres over 33 days, transforming a physical challenge into a powerful act of remembrance.

The convoy included people whose lives and testimonies became significant to Holocaust history, including Ginette Kolinka, Simone Veil and Marceline Loridan, as well as children deported from the Izieu children’s home. Through her journey, Decourselle sought to honour their memory and help ensure that future generations understood the human cost of persecution.

Her commitment was especially meaningful because she had no known family connection to the deportations. According to tributes shared after her death, her interest grew through her work as a nurse in a residential care home for older people, where she met former deportees and encountered their experiences firsthand.

On October 2, Decourselle attended the opening of an exhibition in Pérols, near Montpellier, documenting her memorial journey. During the event, she spoke about her next challenge, demonstrating her continued dedication to preserving history.

The municipality of Mauguio-Carnon also paid tribute to her efforts. In July, officials recognized her sporting achievement and memorial commitment by presenting her with a commemorative coin during a ceremony honouring victims of racist and antisemitic crimes and those who resisted persecution.

Tributes have also remembered her companion, Jérémy, who accompanied her throughout the journey. Decourselle had reportedly been battling an illness before her death.

Her passing leaves a profound sense of loss among those who supported her mission. Her journey, however, remains a lasting reminder that remembrance requires action, courage and a willingness to carry difficult histories forward.

Personal Details

Disclaimer: This article is based on the tributes and information provided. Further personal, medical and funeral details have not been independently confirmed. Any a