Cécile Marchais

BIOGRAPHY

Cécile Marchais was born in Marcillac in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, on 17 October 1913. She spent her childhood in Marcillac, the village where she would remain for the rest of her life. Her father was a mason. She walked six kilometers to school each day in her village. At the age of 11, she was sent to study in Bordeaux, but she didn’t stay long, preferring to return to her village to pursue a life as a farmer. It was also in Marcillac that she met the man who would become her husband. On 14 June 1930, at the age of 16, she married Théophile Henri Marchais, and together they had two children: Colette and Michel. Her father served in World War I, her husband in World War II, and her son fought in the Algerian War. After marriage, she worked on the family farm, tending to the vineyards and raising livestock. According to one of her granddaughters, “Work never scared her.” Even after her husband’s accidental death in 1965, she continued to work her land as a farmer.

Marchais earned her driver’s license in 1957 and continued driving until the age of 99, when a broken femur forced her to stop. Even after retiring from farming, she remained active, pruning vines, working on embroidery, or tending to the flowers in her veranda. According to her family, she loved parties and family gatherings, always worrying about the well-being of everyone around her.

At 110, she was reported to have lived a healthy and simple life, always mindful of the quality of her food. She remained active in the Club Rencontre et Loisirs, a non-profit organization that fosters friendships through social gatherings, and she contributed to the upkeep of her local church. At 110, she was still mobile with the help of a walker.

Cécile Marchais passed away in Val-de-Livenne, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France on 26 August 2024, at the age of 110 years, 314 days. She was reportedly survived by her two children, four granddaughters, eight great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandson (five generations of descendants).

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “100 ans d’existence” – Sud-Ouest, 22 October 2013

* “Val-de-Livenne : Cécile Marchais est une supercentenaire” – Sud-Ouest, 18 October 2023

* “Val-de-Livenne. La Marcillacaise Cécile Marchais s’est éteinte à presque 111 ans” – Haute Gironde, 13 September 2024

GALLERY

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