Charlene Von Sayer

and stole all of the artwork.

Miedel stayed and ran the gallery with Jacques' entire infrastructure in place because he was very well respected.

I didn't understand at the time why all the labels on the backs of the paintings weren't peeled off.

You would think that would make sense.

That way no one could recognize where they once belonged.

But my grandfather had stickers and a red wax seal that he put on the back of each of the paintings.

And they left those in place because...

It proved the value of the pieces since he was so well-respected in the art field.

And one evening, a couple of nights after they were on there, my grandfather went up on the deck for some air.

And the lights were turned off because the boats were being torpedoed all around.

And my grandfather fell into a hold and fractured his skull.

And my grandmother was down below with my father and asked the crew members to find her husband.

And ultimately, one of the crew members also fell into the hold on top of my grandfather.

Did not die because he was cushioned by Jacques' body.

And then my grandmother had to continue on the journey without her husband.

She was able to plan the funeral, though, in Falmouth.

I think that's the southwestern coast, a beautiful, beautiful place.

She was not allowed off the boat, and she made sure that he had a good spot overlooking the water and that they play his favorite song, which was Cole Porter's Night and Day at the funeral.

And she was lucky because at that time, most people were just thrown overboard if they died.

Life was great.