BIOGRAPHY

Roelinga-de Groot was born in Wijnjeterp, Friesland, Netherlands, on 29 June 1887 as the eldest of five daughters. She was married twice, and had eight children. She outlived all six from her first marriage, and the two from her second marriage, Gauke and Akke, were 70 and 68 at the time of their mother’s 110th birthday. She had lived in a care home since 1977.

During her centenarian years, Roelinga-de Groot was reported to be in good health aside from deteriorating hearing and mobility issues, losing the ability to walk by the time she was 110. At 105, she had surgery to restore her eyesight; she was subsequently able to knit and read newspapers again.

Roelinga-de Groot died in Heerenveen, Friesland, Netherlands, on 14 August 1997 at the age of 110 years, 46 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of Cornelia Hendrikse-Maas, 110, on 15 July 1996, Roelinga-de Groot became the Netherlands’ oldest resident. Upon her own death over a year later, she was succeeded by Kaatje van Dam-Groeneveld (1887 – 2001).

As of 2024, Roelinga-de Groot remains the only supercentenarian to reside in the province of Friesland, and is thus the longevity recordholder of said province.

Roelinga-de Groot’s age was verified by Gert Jan Kuiper (GRG) and Marco Wikkerink (ESO), and was validated by the latter organisation on 8 August 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

• Frieslands oudste inwoner Geertje Roelinga wordt 106 Leeuwarder Courant, 28 June 1993
• Oudste Nederlander zondag 110 jaar Trouw, 25 June 1997

GALLERY