BIOGRAPHY

Catherine Gode was born in Paris, Île-de-France, France on 18 January 1914, to Breton parents. She arrived in Eure-et-Loir at a very young age, settling in the region around the age of 11 when she took her first communion. On 30 September 1933, she married André Gode. She was just 19 years old, while he was only slightly older at 22.

Her husband was mobilized on 3 September 1939, at the onset of the war. He returned the following year. Catherine, her husband, and their children initially sought refuge in Saint-Flour (Cantal) but later returned to Lucé, where German troops became aware of her husband’s expertise in radio equipment. Her husband was ordered to go to Germany for work but refused, arguing that he was responsible for his five children. A compromise was reached, allowing him to remain in Lucé while working for the occupying forces. Despite this challenging situation, the family remained actively involved in the Resistance. The attic of her residence concealed numerous French individuals during the Second World War.

She currently lives in the commune of Courville-sur-Eure in the Eure-et-Loir department , Centre-Val de Loire.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 9 March 2024. This validation has yet to be recognized by LongeviQuest.

On 22 June 2024, following the passing of 111-year-old Lucienne Moreau, she became the oldest living person in Centre-Val de Loire Region.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Catherine Gode, 105 ans, et ses filles évoquent leurs souvenirs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale” – L’Écho Républicain, 13 June 2019

* “De 1914 à aujourd’hui, les 7 photos de la vie de Catherine Gode, doyenne d’Eure-et-Loir, qui vient de fêter ses 111 ans” – L’Écho Républicain, 20 January 2025

GALLERY