BIOGRAPHY

Iréna Martial was born in Le Gosier, Guadeloupe, on 28 June 1909. At the age of 23, she married Éloi Martial, after three years of dating. They had 10 children.

Her younger sister, Léone Béziat (2 May 1911 – 13 August 2021), lived to the age of 110 years, 103 days. In May 2021, when Béziat celebrated her 110th birthday, the two sisters became the first documented pair of living supercentenarian siblings. They were also the third known pair of supercentenarian sisters, following Nelle Eby and Katharine Davenport from the USA, and Kame Ganeko and Kikue Taira from Japan.

As of her 110th birthday, she lived in Grande-Ravine at her daughter’s home, where she had resided since losing her sight four years earlier. Despite her blindness, she remained mobile, could eat independently, and continued to share captivating stories. She retained her lucidity and an excellent memory, which she demonstrated on her 110th birthday by recounting the entire family lineage of Jocelyn Martial, a municipal councillor. On the same occasion, she was honored with a medal presented by the departmental councillor. Known to her family and friends as Ti-Kamé, she remained a commanding presence even at the age of 111. Though she had lost her eyesight, she retained a remarkable sense of moral authority and influence over those around her, including her 91-year-old daughter. At the age of 112, she had 34 grandchildren, and 48 great-grandchildren.

Iréna Martial passed away in Le Gosier, Guadeloupe, on 29 June 2022, one day following her 113th birthday.

RECOGNITION

On 21 September 2020, following the passing of 113-year-old Marthe Roch, she became the oldest living person in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, at the age of 111 years, 85 days. She held the title for 1 year and 9 months, until her passing, at which point she was succeeded by Juliana Sambin.

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest person ever from Guadeloupe, surpassed only by Marthe Roch, who was 32 days older at the time of her death.

At the time of her passing, she was the third-oldest living person in France, after Lucile Randon and Elise Tavan.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “À 110 ans, Ti Camé a encore la langue bien pendue !” – France-Antilles Guadeloupe, 6 July 2019

* “Irèna Martial, 112 ans, une grand-mère gosierienne d’une gentillesse inégalable” – France-Antilles Guadeloupe, 1 July 2021

* “Iréna Martial est décédée après avoir fêté ses 113 ans” – France-Antilles Guadeloupe, 30 June 2022

GALLERY