BIOGRAPHY

Bailly was born as Marguerite Adèle Debail in the commune of Lislet in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France, on 6 March 1907. As a child, she was often ill, which caused her mother constant worry. In her young adulthood, she spent time in Paris before moving to Golbey, Vosges, to join her brother and sister.

While living in Golbey, she met her first husband, Maurice Toussaint, who owned a motorcycle garage on Avenue de la Fontenelle. They married and welcomed a daughter, Mauricette, around 1931. Bailly was widowed in 1951, 20 years later.

Following her husband’s passing, she relocated to Épinal, Vosges, where she met pharmacist Paul Bailly. They later married but did not have children. In her centenarian years, she suffered a severe fall but made a full recovery.

On her 110th birthday, when asked about the secret to her longevity, she responded, “I led a calm and quiet life. No excess, therefore, simple joys like long walks in the park or cards with friends.” At the time, her daughter Mauricette was 86, and Bailly was also a grandmother to Eric and Emmanuel, a great-grandmother to five, and a great-great-grandmother to six.

Marguerite Bailly passed away in the commune of Épinal in the Vosges department, Grand Est, France, on 12 June 2019, at the age of 112 years, 98 days.

RECOGNITION

After the passing of Elisabeth Frénoy on 20 April 2019, Bailly became the oldest resident of the Grand Est region.

Bailly’s age was verified by Daniel Lejay and Les Grands Centenaires Français (ESO). Her age was later validated by the ESO on 11 April 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “109 ans! La doyenne de Lorraine vient de fêter son anniversaire et se porte comme un charme” – Le Lorrain, 11 March 2016

* “110 roses pour la belle Marguerite, la doyenne des Vosgiens” – Vosges Matin, 7 March 2017

* “Marguerite Bailly, doyenne du Grand Est, vient de s’éteindre à 112 ans” – ViàVosges, 17 June 2019

GALLERY