BIOGRAPHY

Madeline Anderson was born in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, on 4 May 1907, to John Andrew Orlowski and his Scottish wife Jane Anderson. She was the eldest of four sisters. Her father was of Polish descent but was born in New Zealand to early settler parents. She was born on Baldwin Street. After spending her early years in Dunedin, her family moved to a farm in Clinton, South Otago. She fondly recalled her time on the farm, though she remembered one challenge—getting to school by horse and cart, with the horse occasionally stumbling along the way.

Although none of her family members served directly in World War I, they contributed by providing supplies during a challenging harvest on their farm in Clinton. Her father, a farmer, was not required to enlist, though he had previously fought in the Boer War in South Africa. During the war, a severe weather event devastated their farm, flattening all their crops.

She was engaged to a man for nearly ten years, but their wedding never took place due to financial hardships during the Great Depression. Eventually, she met Harry Anderson, and they married soon after, on 6 September 1941. The couple had three children: a daughter, Heather List; a son, Brian, who tragically passed away in a bicycle accident at the age of seven; and a foster son, Graeme, who lost his life in a car accident at the age of 20.

Madeline Anderson passed away on 19 June 2018, at the age of 111 years, 46 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 108-year-old Edith Olive Oldfield (4 December 1906 – 17 August 2015), she became the oldest known living person in New Zealand, at the age of 108 years, 105 days. She was succeeded by Linda Wiggins.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Madeline Anderson gears up for her 110th birthday – and the excitement is still there” – stuff.co.nz. 2 May 2017

* “Ambassador’s visit to Madeline Anderson on 110th birthday” – Scoop – New Zealand News, 5 May 2017

* “Oldest living New Zealander celebrates her 110th birthday” – NZ Herald, 5 May 2017

* “Madeline Anderson, believed to be New Zealand’s oldest person, has died aged 111” – NZ Herald, 21 June 2018

GALLERY