Emma Marie Zeehandelaar was born on May 28, 1907 in Amsterdam. She is a correspondent by profession and spends a lot of time abroad. On June 4, 1930, she married Johannes Swart, a mechanical engineer. They have two sons: Johannes Frans Age Swart, born in Eindhoven on July 3, 1932 and Robert Willem Swart, born on December 13, 1933 in Amsterdam. On May 3, 1934, the marriage between Johannes Swart and Emma Marie Zeehandelaar is dissolved. Emma Marie's mother, Rosette Margaretha Louise Zeehandelaar-Reens, was born on December 8, 1875 in Nijmegen. On 9 April 1904 she married Israel Zeehandelaar, a doctor. He died in Amsterdam in 1932. After that, Rosetta Zeehandelaar lives with her daughter in Eindhoven. Emma Marie Zeehandelaar's older sister, Henriette, married Jacob Sack in 1935, born October 6, 1902 in Gomel. Henriette died on September 19, 1939. Jacob Sack then has a relationship with the younger sister, Emma. About their relationship, Jacob Sack writes, "In normal times, Emma and I would get married." On May 14, 1940, the three adults and the two boys attempted to flee to England by boat, but they were unsuccessful. Knowing how difficult it would be for them in the Netherlands, the three adults have decided to end their lives and take the two boys, 6 and 7 years old, to death. At that time, all five were staying in Hanna de Paauw's guest house at 13 Acacialaan in Wassenaar. According to the police report, Emma Zeehandelaar, Rosette Zeehandelaar-Reens and the two boys, Johannes Frans and Robert Willem, were killed on 16 May 1940 by gas poisoning. Jacob Sack is in serious mortal danger and is taken to hospital. There he died on May 17, 1940 from the consequences of gas poisoning. Jacob Sack wrote a suicide note on May 15 to his parents and sisters, who have lived in Tel Aviv since 1938. The letter is never received by his parents. In the letter, he explains their decision to choose death: "The Germans are here and we all know no other solution than to put an end to it." At the end of the letter, Emma Marie Zeehandelaar writes: “Sometimes it is more difficult to live than to die. That's the way it is now. ”
