BIOGRAPHY

Lourdina Conceição Lobo was born on December 8, 1908, in Salvador do Mundo, Socorro, Goa, India, as the eldest of nine siblings. At the time, Goa was a Portuguese colony. Her mother and aunt both lived to the age of 98. Diagnosed with diabetes at a young age, she nonetheless enjoyed indulging in sweet and sugary foods throughout her life.

In 1944, she married José Maria Lobo in Camurlim, Goa. The couple had four children: one son and three daughters. She gave birth to her first child at the age of 37. The family lived in Bombay until 1961, when they returned to Goa. In 1963, she moved to a house in Camurlim, where she resided for the rest of her life.

Conceição Lobo remained independent well into her 90s, handling many tasks on her own until the age of 103. However, at 102, she developed gangrene, leading to the amputation of her toes and requiring her to use a wheelchair. Despite doctors recommending the amputation of her leg, she refused the procedure. As a centenarian, she was known for her love of watching television, stitching, knitting, and darning. A devout Catholic, she emphasized her guiding principles with the words: “These two things are the only things that count in life: Love thy neighbor and Love thy God.” In addition to Konkani, English, and Latin, she was fluent in Portuguese and continued to read Portuguese newspapers every morning as late as 2020.

At the time of death, she had six grandchildren and at least one great-grandchild. One of her sisters was alive at the time in her 90s.

Lourdina Conceição Lobo died in Camurlim, Goa, India on 3 November 2021, at the age of 112 years, 330 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Jeffrey Xu, and validated by LongeviQuest on 20 January 2023. She was the first validated supercentenarian who died in India, and the third-validated supercentenarian born in the country (after Lucy d’Abreu (1892–2005) of the UK, and Ethel Farrell (1902–2015) of Australia).

ATTRIBUTION

* “Love thy neighbour, love God: centenarian” – The Navhind Times, 9 December 2008

* “This centurion needs to make headlines…” – DNA India, 4 March 2011

* “Goa’s Oldest Person” – Goa Streets, 21 March 2014

* “Goa’s oldest person dies aged 113” – Herald Goa, 5 November 2021

GALLERY