BIOGRAPHY

Therese Fenners was born in Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 8 March 1906. After finishing school, she trained at a stationery store before going on to work in Goeters’ textile business. In 1929, she got married.

Her husband passed away in 1991, and eight years later, she moved into a retirement home.

At 107, it was reported that her hearing had declined somewhat, and her short-term memory occasionally failed her. Still, she required no medication and was able to move around with the help of a walking aid. She admitted she didn’t know the secret to her long life, though she had always walked a lot. All nine of her siblings also lived past the age of 80.

She mentioned that she never ate in excess, and she had no interest in alcohol or cigarettes. One of her favorite pastimes was bowling, which she enjoyed for many years alongside her husband and daughter. When her husband decided to stop playing, he asked her to stop too—and she did. Well into her centenarian years, she kept her mind sharp by reading, reportedly finishing around 500 books from the home’s library. In her younger days, she also enjoyed cultural outings, often attending performances at the theater in Krefeld or events at the Festhalle.

Therese Fenners passed away in Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 23 June 2018, at the age of 112 years, 107 days.

RECOGNITION

On 9 April 2018, following the passing of Edelgard Huber von Gersdorff, she became the oldest living woman in Germany. She was the nation’s second-oldest resident, after Gustav Gerneth. Upon her passing, she was succeeded by Mathilde Mange.

Fenners’ age was verified by the ESO on 18 February 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Viersenerin feiert heute 107. Geburtstag” – RP Online, 8 March 2013

* “Therese Fenners feiert 110. Geburtstag” – Theresienheim (Viersen), 8 March 2016

* “Älteste Frau Deutschlands aus Viersen friedlich eingeschlafen” – Rheinischer Spiegel, 24 June 2018

GALLERY