BIOGRAPHY

Fernández Rodríguez was born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, on 6 March 1916. She had five siblings. When she was six years old, her father abandoned the family and was never heard from again. Her mother raised five of the six children with the support of uncles and aunts.

She studied up to the seventh grade and lived in San Germán. At the age of 18, she moved to San Juan, where she attended night school and completed her high school education. She later worked as an office clerk in the warehouse of the San Juan Municipal Hospital, where she remained until retirement.

It was there that she met José Antonio Colón Colón, the warehouse manager. They married in 1949. Originally from Aibonito, José Antonio successfully managed several warehouses throughout his career until his passing at the age of 88 in 2010. Together, they raised their family through hard work, without relying on government assistance. They never lived in public housing or outside of Puerto Rico.

Among her hobbies, she enjoyed tending to the flower beds on her balcony. Even as a centenarian, she was able to read the newspaper without glasses and was keeping herself informed about world events. Even at 109, she occasionally sewed and could still thread a needle with ease. She did not use a cane, walker, or any other mobility aid, and she continued to ride in a car by herself.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Gabriel Ainsworth and Fabrizio Villatoro, with the assistance of her family, and validated by LongeviQuest on 17 May 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “María Magdalena Fernández Rodríguez celebró ayer su cumpleaños número 109” – Conociendo a Puerto Rico, 9 March 2025

GALLERY