Supercentenarian Profile

Margherita Venzo

Born:

1903-02-21

Rossano Veneto, Veneto

Italy

Died:

2015-01-08

Mossano, Veneto

Italy

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Margherita Venzo-Rossi was an Italian supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Margherita Venzo was born in Rossano Veneto, Veneto, Italy, on 21 February 1903. Margherita was an elementary school teacher who began her career in Alto Adige, in Monticolo, in the province of Bolzano. In the late 1930s, she married Luigi Rossi, a Piaggio employee from Villanova d’Albenga, Liguria, whom she met in Ceriale (Savona), where Margherita was serving as director of a heliotherapy colony for children. She lived in Liguria, between Ortovero and Ceriale, where she and her husband raised their family. Two children were born from the marriage: Silvano and Giovanna.

After the Second World War, the family settled in Cittadella, in the Veneto region, where Margherita taught elementary school. She later also taught in Galliera Veneta and neighboring towns. In 1945, Luigi changed jobs and moved to Foggia, in Puglia, to work with his brother, commuting for seven years. The family was reunited in 1952, when they settled permanently in Puglia, where Margherita continued teaching in the province of Foggia.

In 1962, Margherita was widowed with the death of her husband Luigi. In 1975, she suffered another devastating loss when her daughter Giovanna died in a tragic accident. Following this, Margherita returned to Cittadella, Veneto, where her sister and nieces lived.

After retiring, she devoted herself to helping others. A longtime volunteer with AVO (Associazione Volontari Ospedalieri), she brought comfort to patients at the hospital in Cittadella. When asked about the secret of her longevity, she would say, “Always look on the bright side of life!”

She lived independently for many years before deciding to move to a nursing home in Barbarano Mossano. Initially admitted for a short stay in the summer of 1992, she chose to make it her permanent home in September of that same year.

Margherita Venzo passed away in Mossano, Veneto, on 8 January 2015, at the age of 111 years, 321 days.

RECOGNITION

On 2 February 2013, following the passing of Cirilla Zenari, she became the oldest living person in the region of Veneto, a title she held jointly with Augusta De Bin (whom she outlived). Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Maria Granello.

Venzo’s age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio and validated by the GRG on 11 April 2014.