BIOGRAPHY

Leroy was born in Nantes, Loire-Atlantique, on 3 July 1913. She married in 1937 and had at least one son. During World War II, she lived and worked in Cugand, Vendée department, as a notary while her husband was in the army.

In 1946, Leroy became a councillor for Cugand, and worked her way up to become the first female mayor of the commune in 1969. She held the position for 14 years until her retirement in 1983.

In 2021, aged 107, Leroy was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, the highest order of merit in France. At the age of 110, she resides in her hometown of Nantes.

RECOGNITION

Many French news outlets reported on Leroy receiving the Légion d’Honneur. An article about her and three other centenarians was published in 2013.

Her age was verified by the Les Centenaires Français, and validated by the ESO on 22 July 2023. The validation was confirmed as valid by LongeviQuest on 10 March 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

• Un hommage a été rendu aux centenaires de Cugand Ouest-France, 8 July 2013

• Qui sont ces Vendéens décorés de la Légion d’honneur ce 1er janvier 2021 ? Ouest-France, 1 January 2021

• Cugand. Denise Leroy reçoit la Légion d’Honneur Ouest-France, 15 June 2021

GALLERY