BIOGRAPHY

Irma Battistella was born in Sequals, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, on 18 November 1910, as the fourth of six siblings. She began working at the age of seven due to the demands of World War I and her family’s needs. She initially worked as a babysitter in Mestre and later as a governess in Milan and Turin, sending her earnings back to her family. She met her future husband, Antonio Tomat, at school. They married in 1931 and moved to France, where they lived for 35 years and raised two sons, Gottardo and Angiolino.

After returning to Lestans in the 1960s, the couple enjoyed their retirement until Antonio passed away in the mid-1980s. Despite being on her own, she remained active, making shoes for the community and beyond. She continued this work until moving to a retirement home in Cavasso Nuovo in 2001.

Throughout her life, she maintained good health through a simple lifestyle, light meals, and a glass of wine. She celebrated her 110th birthday at the Cavasso Nuovo retirement home, where she has lived for nearly twenty years.

Irma Battistella passed away in Cavallo Nuovo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, on 19 January 2021, at the age of 110 years, 62 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “I 105 anni di Irma Battistella Festeggiata dal vicesindaco” – Messaggero Veneto, 20 November 2015

* “Festeggia 108 anni la donna più anziana del Friuli occidentale” – Messaggero Veneto, 22 November 2018

* “A Cavasso Nuovo 109 candeline per Irma Battistella” – Il Friuli, 22 November 2019

* “La Spagnola, le guerre e la pandemia: buon compleanno Irma, 110 anni per la nonna del Friuli” – Messaggero Veneto, 17 November 2020

GALLERY