BIOGRAPHY

Maria Jorge da Silva was born in the district of Charito, in the municipality of Ipueiras, Ceará, on 19 May 1916. Her parents were Raimundo Jorge Calaça and Cosma da Silva Barros. She had ten siblings: Antônio Jorge Sobrinho, Raimunda Jorge da Conceição, Francisca Jorge Camelo, Jorge Calaça Neto, Rosa Jorge Calaça, José Jorge Calaça, João Jorge, Pedro Jorge, Antônia Jorge, and Manoel Jorge. At 18, she married Domingos Ribeiro da Silva, a civil servant and merchant who had been widowed twice before. Their first daughter, Osvaldina Ribeiro da Silva, was born in 1935. Maria had other children, though sadly, some passed away in infancy. Later, she had two more daughters, Gerarda Vasconcelos and Maria José da Silva. Maria José was affectionately called “Fátima,” a nickname given in honor of the arrival of the image of Our Lady of Fátima in Ipueiras.

Maria Jorge contributed to the household income with skills she had developed over the years. She became a tailor and seamstress, using a sewing machine gifted to her by her husband. She passed this craft on to her daughters, Osvaldina and Gerarda, who learned to sew and received their own sewing machines, some of which have been preserved as part of the family legacy. In addition to her work as a seamstress, Maria devoted herself to the farm, growing food to support her family. Her daughter Gerarda often joined her in the fields, while Osvaldina stayed home to care for her younger sister. Over time, Maria Jorge also opened her heart and home to adopted children: Solange Ribeiro Lopes, adopted in 1962; Wilson, adopted two years later; and her niece Rosemary, whom Maria took in after Rosemary’s mother passed away.

As of November 2024, she had eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Her large family gathers to celebrate her birthday each year, a cherished occasion she always deeply enjoyed. Her family describes her as having a cheerful spirit, with a love for parties, conversations, a good beer, and long walks. A devoted churchgoer, Maria Jorge found joy in her faith and attending services. She aspires to see the ocean, a dream that she has not yet fulfilled.

This life story is a tribute to a woman who, despite so many adversities, built a solid foundation of love and unity for her family, leaving a legacy of determination and affection.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Gabriel Ainsworth and Iara Souza, and validated by LongeviQuest on 30 September 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

(The biography in this article was provided entirely by her family members: Jucélio de Sousa Calaça, Pedro Igor Barros de Oliveira, Miriam Souza Calaça, Antônia Rozimeire Jorge Brito, and Vaniah Brito, to whom we extend our sincere thanks for their assistance.)

GALLERY