Supercentenarian Profile

Gwen Phillips

Born:

1903-07-17

Newport, Wales

United Kingdom

Died:

2014-07-24

Newport, Wales

United Kingdom

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Gwendoline Bertha “Gwen” Phillips was a British supercentenarian. Her age has been validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) and recognised by LongeviQuest (LQ).

BIOGRAPHY

Gwen Phillips was born in Newport, Wales, UK, on 17 July 1903. Phillips never married, but she nonetheless cared for many children through her work as a primary and secondary school teacher in Newport. A devout Catholic, she served as an organist at St Mary’s Church on Stow Hill, Newport. She also enjoyed socializing and often played bridge with fellow members of the congregation.

She loved having a glass of brandy and port—one in the morning and another in the evening—though she gave up drinking later in life. Phillips lived with her parents in a house on Risca Road, Newport, helping them purchase the property while she was working. In her later years she developed dementia, and after suffering a fall in 2009, she was admitted to the Danygraig care home on Chepstow Road, Newport.

Gwen Phillips passed away in Newport, on 24 July 2014, at the age of 111 years, 7 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 108-year-old Mary Jessie Mason (27 May 1903 – 28 April 2012) of Cardigan, she became the oldest known living person in Wales. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Nellie Robinson (21 January 1905 – 14 October 2014) of Llanfair.

Phillips’ age was verified by Chris Law and validated by the ESO on 8 March 2020.