Francis Piscatella

BIOGRAPHY

Piscatella was born in Central Islip, a small hamlet of New York, on 20 April 1913. Her left forearm was amputated at two years old, which caused her to be turned away from many religious organizations. Her mother taught her independence, and she had to prove that there was nothing she couldn’t do.

Piscatella was accepted by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville in 1931, and soon afterward earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at St. John’s University. She worked as a grade school mathematics teacher in Brooklyn.

Piscatella taught for 52 years at Molloy College and later worked at its Financial Aid office before her retirement aged 84. She sponsored many other nuns when they wished to join the convent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Piscatella would attend mass virtually and pray daily. As of her 110th birthday, she could still walk with assistance. She is among the top five oldest known residents of New York State.

RECOGNITION

Piscatella was first noted for her longevity on her 107th birthday. Her 108th and 109th birthdays were only reported in a few news outlets, while her 110th birthday attracted wide media attention.

Her age was validated by LongeviQuest on 28 April 2023.

Following the passing of 116 year-old Inah Canabarro Lucas on 30 April 2025, she became the world’s oldest living nun.