BIOGRAPHY

Gemignani was born as Giulia Pasquinelli in Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy, on 25 March 1895. She married Armando Gemignani and had two children, Umberto and Rina. She was a devoted Catholic and a homemaker with a lifelong passion for crocheting.

Gemignani emigrated to the United States in the 1950s, but only spoke Italian. She was widowed in 1961, and her son also predeceased her in 2000. She lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before relocating to Howell, New Jersey in 1981. In 1994, she moved into a nursing home in Jackson, New Jersey. She never smoked nor drank alcohol.

Gemignani died on 21 October 2005 at the age of 110 years, 210 days. She was survived by her daughter, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Following the 6 October 2003 death of Florence Knox, Gemignani became the oldest known New Jersey resident. Upon her own death two years later, the title passed to 110-year-old Arthur Warmington.

Gemignani’s age was verified by Giovanni Alunni and Robert Young, and was validated by the GRG on 30 March 2005.

ATTRIBUTION

• Jackson woman turns 109 Asbury Park Press, 1 April 2004

GALLERY