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LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Merle O’Hara. Merle O’Hara was born in Kingston, Jamaica on 20 February 1912 and passed away in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 4 November 2023 at 111 years, 257 days. At the time of her passing, she might have been the oldest Jamaican-born person alive worldwide.

Merle O’Hara Passes Away at 111
(Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzOr3PXxeMC/)

O’Hara once served tea to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at a resort during their visit to Jamaica. In 1974, he followed her daughter to Canada. O’Hara survived a stroke but lost vision in her left eye. Her hobbies included playing field hockey, bridge, and croquet.

LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mrs. Merle O’Hara.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Matilda Bracun, Slovenia’s second-oldest living person, turned 110 years old.

Matilda, who is also called “Tilka”, recently celebrated her birthday at a nursing home in Horjul, Inner Carniola, Slovenia. Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor graced Tilka’s 110th birthday celebration to honor her longevity.

Tilka with Former President Borut Pahor on her 110th Birthday (Source: Facebook/Borut Pahor)

Matilda Bracun was born on 24 September 1913 in the former Austria-Hungary (now Slovenia). She is a Slovenian supercentenarian known as one of the oldest people to survive COVID-19. She is also believed to be the second-oldest known living person in the country.

Tilka trained to be a knitter after finishing primary school. She worked in textile factories Pletenina and Saturnus. Upon her retirement, she continued to knit by sewing tapestries.

Matilda Bracun currently resides at a nursing home in Horjul, Inner Carniola, Slovenia.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings to Matilda Bracun and her family for this another milestone in her life.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Emi Miura of Japan at age 112. She was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on 24 April 1911. Miura is currently the oldest living person in Miyagi Prefecture. She is a wife and a mother to three children.

Emi Miura graduated from the music department of Miyagi Girls’ School (now Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University Musicians) in 1932. Before and after World War II, she taught music at Hirosaki Girls’ School (now Hirosaki Gakuin University) and various high schools in Hirosaki City. Miura’s love of choral music began when she was a student, and she continued to pursue it even after she retired from teaching. Her dedication to music and education continued well into her 90s, as she also attended English conversation classes.

(Source: goo.ne.jp)

By the time she was 110 years old, she was living in a nursing home in Sendai City and was able to eat without assistance. On September 17, 2021, Sendai City commemorated her longevity by presenting her with a memento. Her response was, “Am I really 110 years old already?” As of September 2023, she had three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In September 2022, she was reported as the second-oldest living person in Miyagi Prefecture, behind Matsuyo Eda. Following Eda’s passing on 28 October, Miura became the oldest living resident in the Prefecture.

For more information, please view Mrs. Miura’s Directory Profile here.

It is with great pleasure for LongeviQuest to share that Isabel Barletta recently celebrated her 112th birthday. She is an Argentine supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in the country.

Isabel Barletta was born on 12 September 1911 in a house on Primera Junta Street, Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to an Italian immigrant father and an Argentine mother. Her family later moved on to José Martí Street to a house that her father and brothers had built.

On her 112th birthday in 2023.

She graduated from elementary school on Francisco Bilbao Street. After this, she continued her studies in Art History, drawing, and painting at the Fernando Fader School.

When asked about her secret on having an old age, she talked about having respect to other people as we are all equally made by God.

Isabel Barletta is currently residing at Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

For more information, please view Isabel Barletta’s Directory Profile here.

It is with great sadness that LongeviQuest has to report the passing of Maurilio Montaño Oliver, who was the oldest known living man in Mexico.

Mr. Montaño Oliver passed away in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, on 20 August 2023, at the age of 109 years, 341 days.

Born in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, on 13 September 1913. He was the eldest of five siblings, but only Rebeca, the youngest, is now living, approximately 90 years-old and whom he hadn’t seen for a long time (as of June 2022).

He had eight children, the youngest child was a volunteer lifeguard and died, but seven are still alive and all are between 65 and 79 years old.

He dedicated 54 years of his life to working at the Real del Monte mining company (1929-1983). He joined at 16 years of age and retired at 70. Although he didn’t actually work inside the mines, but in the sampling areas to determine the quality of the metal.

Aged 45

His age has been listed as a pending validation by the Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS) since January 2022, but the validation process was completed later.

Our condolences are extended to the family and friends of Mr. Montaño Oliver.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Australia’s oldest living person, Catherina Van Der Linden, turns 111 years old. She is a Dutch-Australian supercentenarian known as the oldest living Dutch-born person as well as the oldest person in Australia. Catherina Van Der Linden was born on 26 August 1912 in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, as Catharina Adriana van Meegen. She grew up in Nijmegen, Gelderland.
Three days before her 28th birthday, Catherina married Johannes (John) Wouterus van der Linden on 23 August 1940. The couple had four children together. She spent her life working as a grape picker, nursing assistant, typist, and clerical assistant.

John and Catherina van der Linden with their children at Glenelg in 1958.
(Source: The Senior)

In 1955, she emigrated to Australia with her husband. However, she felt homesick, so she took their four children and returned to the Netherlands in 1958. After 18 months, the family returned to Australia and permanently settled in Adelaide.
Catherina van der Linden is currently residing in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, where she is recognized as the oldest living person in the country.
For more information, please view Catherina Van Der Linden’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that the United Kingdom’s oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, turned 114 years old. She is a British supercentenarian known as the last surviving person in the UK born in the 1900s decade.

Ethel Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England.

In 1927, when she was 18 years old, she worked as a nanny for a British family in India. She traveled alone by ship to India for three weeks and then worked there for three years before returning to England.

Ethel met her British Army major husband at a dinner party in 1931. Later on, they were married in Salisbury Cathedral. The couple lived together in Harnham, England, but they were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar after.

On her 111th birthday. source: Gerontology Wiki

She lived most of her life in Surrey, England, for about 50 years. Caterham celebrated her 111^th birthday in August 2020 by having a tea party which earned a visit from the Mayor of Surrey Heath. This was due to the fact that she became the oldest known living person in Surrey on 17 January 2019.

LongeviQuest extends our warmest greetings to Ethel Caterham and her family on this joyful celebration of her life.

For more information, please visit Ethel Caterham’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Karent Rigmor Moritz, Denmark’s oldest living person, turned 110 years old, on 15 August 2023.

The celebration was highlighted by the municipality’s effort to give off layered cake for all nursing homes. Karen Moritz always wanted to share what she has with others and so they are giving back by celebrating her birthday in hundreds of nursing homes simultaneously. Aalborg Municipality upgraded the normal cake to a birthday layer cake for all residents of nursing homes in the area.

Born on 15 August 1913, she has witnessed two world wars and two pandemics while now holding the prestigious title of being the oldest citizen in Denmark.

Karen Moritz at 110 and her birthday cakes for everyone

At some point in her life, she married Sven Moritz and had three children with him. The couple represented Aalborg at many official events due to her husband being a lawyer, public prosecutor, and former police chief.

When she was 100 years old, Karen chose a vegan-based diet, but the care home changed her back to a meat-based one so that she could have more protein to maintain a healthy weight.

Karen Moritz always believed that all people are worth something and so she became a mouthpiece for the vulnerable with her enormous humanitarian work. This is exactly why Aalborg Municipality channeled Karen’s spirit by providing a birthday cake for everyone on the account of her 110th birthday.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Marguerite Pouponeau, Seychelles’ oldest citizen, turned 111 years old. She is celebrating a remarkable 111 years of life with a heartfelt gathering at her St. Louis home in Serret Road where they shared a special home mass.

Marguerite Pouponeau claims to have been born on 15 August 1912 in Anse Royale, Seychelles, as Margaret Woodfield Gill. She grew up in her birth town and then later moved to Saint Louis where she worked as a seamstress.

Marguerite Pouponeau on her 111th birthday in 2023. (Photo credit: Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs)

Marguerite married Wilby Pouponeau and had three daughters and a son. Her eldest daughter is now deceased while her other daughter, Daphne Pouponeau, lives with her in Saint Louis.

She became the oldest known living person in Seychelles after the claimed 112-year-old Nancy Marie passed away on 11 May 2021.

Mrs. Pouponeau’s age has not yet been validated by LongeviQuest or any other organization specializing in age verification.

LongeviQuest extends our warmest greetings to our birthday celebrant Marguerite Pouponeau.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Virginia’s (U.S. State) oldest living person turned 111 years old. Virginia Jefferson is an American supercentenarian born on 14 August 1912 in Forest, Bedford County, Virginia, USA.

In April 1938, Virginia married Malcolm Jefferson who later died in May 2008. She learned how to play the piano by herself, and used to sing at the church she used to attend since she was young. Lately, she is a devoted member of the Forest Church, where she attributes her longevity to God.

On her 110th birthday in August 2022.
(Source: Youtube/NABJ Black News & Views)

Virginia Jefferson currently resides in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA.

For more information, please view Virginia Jefferson’s Directory Profile here.