Rescue story

Jeronimas was married and had three children. It is known that, already married, he went to the United States. While he was away the couple drifted apart and divorced, but Jeronimas continued to raise and care for all three children. After returning from the USA, he settled in Sviliai village, where he probably owned a mill. There he met midwife Adelė Grigaitytė, 18 years younger than him, and married her in 1936. This was also Adelė's second marriage; she had an 18-year-old son, Zenonas.

In 1944 an old acquaintance, Chaja Gell, approached the family asking them to save her family and several relatives. The Žiužnys family agreed. One night Jeronimas and Zenonas drove about 60 kilometres to Kaunas and waited by the ghetto fence. They brought Chaja Gell and her two children Rachel and Jacob to their home. A few days later Israel Gell and several other Jews joined them. In total, 14 people hid with the Žiužnys family. An architect among them devised a hiding place under the kiln, with bunks and ventilation. The Žiužnys family helped them for nine months. Zenonas brought livestock, Jeronimas hunted in the forest, and Adelė took care of food, hygiene and other needs.

After the war, the rescued people left a written note of thanks to the Žiužnys and Grigaitis families, signed by all 14 people.