BIOGRAPHY

Burille was born in the commune of Blamont in the Doubs department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, France, on 22 June 1911. Her father, Stéphane Magnetet, was a customs officer in Goumois, and her mother was a homemaker. She attended school in Trévillers, then at the Besançon High School. In 1924, the family decided to move to Saint-Louis when her father secured a position as a customs officer at the Basel train station. Burille took courses at the École Supérieure de Saint-Louis, where she earned her brevet supérieur, which was equivalent to the baccalaureate at the time. Although her parents hoped she would pursue a career at the Post Office, she chose to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She began her career as a substitute teacher, working in Village-Neuf, Blotzheim-la-Chaussée, and Huningue.

In 1939, when World War II was declared, she was living in Arbois (Jura department) with her family. She managed to leave before the evacuation began. During this time, she met her future husband, Lucien Burille, an airman on leave. While she was searching for a postcard, he approached her, saying, “A young lady who is not from here!” This remark sparked their conversation. The couple married in August 1941 in Tenay, where she had a teaching position. After the war, her husband worked as an office worker at the ISL. They had a son, Alain, who was born on 22 June 1942. Tragically, her son drowned in Lake Annecy at the age of 15. Following the war, her family returned to Saint-Louis, where she had a house built in 1955. She found a teaching job in Huningue and, soon after, in Saint-Louis, where she taught until 1966. She retired at the age of 55. She and her husband traveled extensively, visiting destinations such as the United States, Egypt, Japan, and even the North Pole. Following Lucien’s passing in 1979, she remained active, managing her home until the age of 102.

For her 100th birthday, she invited 100 family members and friends. At the age of 102, she moved to the Blanche-de-Castille nursing home in Saint-Louis. Before moving into the nursing home, she managed her own shopping, maintained her home, and even hung the curtains herself. At the age of 108, she continued to watch TV, read newspapers, and enjoy books. She remained in good health with a hearty appetite, despite being almost vegetarian. Her goal at the time was to surpass Mrs. Scherrer, the wife of the director of her school, who had lived to 109.

Burille passed away in Saint-Louis, Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, France, on 25 October 2022, at the age of 111 years, 125 days.

RECOGNITION

Burille’s age was verified by Cyril Depoudent and validated by the ESO on 16 July 2021.

At the time of her death, she was the oldest known living person in Grand Est, France.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Madeleine Burille, 108 ans et beaucoup d’humour” – Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, 28 July 2019

* “Madeleine Burille, 109 ans, en route pour les records” – Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, 23 June 2020

GALLERY