Marie-France Banc

Marie-France Banc (1876 – 1965) was a Catholic Mother Superior in France, recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, for protecting two Jewish children for the last two years of World War II.

Biography Born on 30 May 1876 in Plats, Ardèche, Banc entered religious life as a novitiate nun at 17 and received the name “Sister Marie des Anges” (Sister Mary of the Angels). In time, she taught in Saint-Victor, Arras (Pas-de-Calais), Saint-Félicien (Ardèche) and Arlebosc.

In 1942, Marie Banc was the Mother Superior of the Saint-Joseph Convent in Saint-Félicien, where she was responsible for two boarding schools, one for boys and one for girls. In December of that year, she was asked to conceal two Jewish children: Henri Amzel, age 10, and his sister, Denise, age 6, at the schools.

A simplified version of the medal awarded to those who are named Righteous Among the Nations.The Amzel family had immigrated to Paris from Eastern Europe but left that city when the war reached Paris, traveling to Marseilles where the parents rented an apartment with their two children.

A commemorative plaque was installed at the house where Banc was born and unveiled by the mayor of the village of Plats during an official ceremony held on Saturday, May 30, 2009.