Holocaust Survivor And Soldier Who Rescued Her Celebrate 70+ Years Together

It was a fateful day when Edith Steiner, aged 20, met John Mackay, aged 23, in Auschwitz in 1944. John had escaped from an Italian prisoner of war camp in Tobruk, Libya, by impersonating a soldier, and was part of the Scottish commando unit that liberated dozens of people — Edith (known as Eci) being one of them. After finding each other, they healed from the wounds of war and, unsuspectingly, fell in love. Earlier this year, they were fortunate to celebrate more than 70 years together.

During WWII, Edith lost 39 members of her family, reports Vintage Everyday. Only she and her mother, who had lived in the Székesfehérvár region of Hungary, ended up surviving. Along with hundreds of others, Edith faced the constant threat of execution, as she was at the same concentration camp as notorious SS officer and physician Josef Mengele (AKA The Angel of Death), who performed sadistic experiments. Fortunately, she lived to see liberation day.

The day freedom eventually came, John asked a friend to ask Edith if she would dance with him. She responded that she would, but only if John asked her personally. Once he built up the courage, he requested a dance with her, and from then on, they were inseparable.

On July 17, 1946, the duo was married. Then, after returning to Scotland, Edith and John purchased the Atholl Arms Hotel in Pitlochry. When they retired, they returned to Dundee. During their lives, they were blessed with two children, Sharon and Peter.

Earlier this year, the couple made headlines after celebrating their 71st anniversary together. Sadly, Edith passed away shortly after, aged 92. However, John was right by her side. Though she no longer lives on this plane, Edith is remembered for surviving the Holocaust and reminding the world what true love is.