BIOGRAPHY

Blanchet was born in Erath, Louisiana, USA, on 8 June 1867, to parents Antoine Reaux and Aurelia LeBlanc.

On 24 January 1887, she married Desire Blanchet (1865–1934). The couple had seven children, including Otto Blanchet (1892–1971), Joseph Otis Blanchet (1894–1965), Odile LeBlanc (1898–1988), and Sidney Blanchet (1903–1984).

In 1961, in her 90s, she moved into Consolata Nursing Home in New Iberia. When asked about the secret of her longevity, she responded that it is “to let a happy smile be more noticeable than snow-white hair and to let an enthusiastic attitude on life overshadow wrinkled hands and a slowed pace in walking.”

Blanchet died at Iberia Parish General Hospital in New Iberia, Louisiana, USA, at 6:10 PM on 9 November 1979, at the age of 112 years, 154 days. She was survived by two of her children, 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, 30 great-great-grandchildren, and four great-great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

In June 1977, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the first known female supercentenarian in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and second overall, behind James King (1854–1967).

Her age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg, Filipe Prista Lucas, and Carla Delcambre, and validated by LongeviQuest on 11 October 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Constance Alicia Reaux Blanchet” – Find A Grave

* “102-Year-Old Parish Native Spreads Cheer” – Abbeville Meridional, 12 June 1969

* “Mrs. Blanchet Knows Secret Of Living Long Life” – The Daily Advertiser, 15 June 1979

* “Mrs. Desire Blanchet” – Abbeville Meridional, 13 November 1979

GALLERY