BIOGRAPHY

Virtudes Tomás Navarro was born in Villena, Valencian Community, Spain, on 17 July 1907. Orphaned at the age of three, she lost her mother at 38, leaving six children in the care of her father, Mateo Tomás. With no other option, he moved the family from the city to a rural estate called Las Moratillas in the municipality of Villena. There, she spent her childhood helping with household chores and farm work.

Coming from a family of farmers, she later married a farmworker. At 29, she wed Andrés Catalán, known as “El Cuadrao.” Andrés was a market gardener who harvested his own produce and sold it to market traders. Together, they had three children: Virtudes, Andrés, and Ángeles.

By the time she reached 110, she had nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Despite her age, she led a simple and largely independent life. She rarely left the house but managed daily tasks with the help of a walker. Her memory remained sharp, though she suffered from severe deafness.

Virtudes Tomás Navarro passed away in Villena, Valencian Community, on 20 April 2020, at the age of 112 years, 278 days.

RECOGNITION

On 25 May 2017, following the passing of 111-year-old Teresa Gauchia Simo, she became the oldest living person in the Valencian Community. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Teresa Velázquez Andrés.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “VIRTUDES TOMÁS “LA ROJICA” 110 AÑOS” – Villena Cuentame, July 2017

* “La abuela de la provincia cumple 110 años” – Diario Informacion, 23 July 2017

* “Una vecina de Villena cumple 111 años” – Radio Alicante, 17 July 2018

GALLERY