BIOGRAPHY

Van Donkelaar-Vink was born on 31 January 1895 in the erstwhile municipality of Vlaardinger-Ambacht, which was since incorporated into Vlaardingen, South Holland. As a young woman, she worked as a dressmaker.

In 1917, Van Donkelaar-Vink married her husband, Jacobus “Koos” van Donkelaar, and the couple went on to have four children, two sons and two daughters. She was widowed in 1951. As a centenarian, she was almost deaf and blind.

For many years, Van Donkelaar-Vink lived in a care home in Bunnik, Utrecht, where she died on 19 May 2006 at the age of 111 years, 108 days. Her health had declined rapidly in the weeks prior to her death. She was survived by one son, Jacobus, who was 76 years old.

RECOGNITION

Van Donkelaar-Vink’s age was verified by Gert Jan Kuiper and validated by the GRG on 1 February 2005.

Following the death of Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, the oldest Dutch person ever, on 30 August 2005, Van Donkelaar-Vink became the Netherlands’ oldest resident. After her death, the title passed to Grietje Jansen-Anker, then 108.

ATTRIBUTION

• Oudste inwoner van Nederland (111) overleden Trouw, 19 May 2006
• Oudste Nederlander overleden FOK, 19 May 2006

GALLERY