BIOGRAPHY

Micheline Petit was born in Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department, Hauts-de-France, France, on 16 August 1912, to parents Michel Vanaerde (1883–1968) and Rose Behal (1888–1965). She had a younger brother, Stanley Vanaerde (1916–1990). At the age of 3, she moved to the United States with her family, where her father studied dentistry in Philadelphia.

On 27 July 1934, she married Dr. Pierre Petit, a general practitioner, and they had ten children—eight daughters and two sons. The couple lived in various locations due to her husband’s Air Force assignments, eventually settling in Flers-en-Escrebieux in 1953. Petit played a vital role as her husband’s assistant, managing the household, scheduling appointments, and handling finances, all while raising their large family. Widowed in 1993, she lived independently until the end of her life.

Micheline Petit passed away in Douai, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France, on 17 November 2022, at the age of 110 years, 93 days. She was survived by 46 grandchildren, 93 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Petit’s age was verified by Cyril Depoudent and validated by the ESO on 27 September 2022.

ATTRIBUTION

* Micheline Sylvie Louise Marie Vanaerde – Geneanet

* “Micheline Petit, Douaisienne aux 108 printemps : « Le Bon Dieu a dû égarer mon dossier »” – La Voix du Nord, 21 August 2020

* “Douai : doyenne de la ville, Micheline Petit s’est éteinte dans sa cent onzième année” – La Voix du Nord, 18 November 2022

* Madame Micheline PETIT (Avis de décès) – Libra Memoria

GALLERY