BIOGRAPHY

Elvira Montoya Ordóñez was born in Sandona, Nariño Department, Colombia, on 13 July 1904. From a very young age, Elvira dedicated herself to weaving hats—a skill she took up after being orphaned at the age of nine. This craft allowed her to support her three younger siblings and, later, her own family after she married Isaís Nazmín at the age of 22. The couple had four children, including Rosario. Their other three children passed away at a young age.

Her 111th birthday was celebrated with a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Family members gathered at her home to mark the occasion. At the time, she had four grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. For the previous five years, she had been unable to walk after fainting, and had to rely on a wheelchair for mobility. In her final months, she became bedridden, and priests would visit her at home to administer communion.

Elvira Montoya Ordóñez passed away in Sandona, on 16 July 2015, three days after her 111th birthday.

RECOGNITION

Her age was listed as a pending validation by the Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS).

ATTRIBUTION

* “Sandoneña cumplió 110 años” – Informativo del Guaico, 30 July 2014

* “Sandoneña cumplió 111 años de vida” – Informativo del Guaico, 15 July 2015

* “Falleció la señora Elvira Montoya Ordóñez” – Informativo del Guaico, 17 July 2015

GALLERY