BIOGRAPHY

Luigia Pavoncelli was born in Pescantina, Veneto, Italy, on 22 May 1908. She worked at the sausage factory she co-founded in her youth with her brothers, Angelo and Guido. Her journey began at the age of 17, witnessing the transformation of her father Ernesto’s modest butcher shop into a thriving factory that employed dozens of workers. In the early days, her father traveled to Parona to procure meat, which at the time was reserved for the sick. Gradually, he expanded operations, slaughtering seven to ten cattle per week and becoming the primary supplier for all the butchers in Valpolicella. As demand grew and butcher shops began to open in neighboring towns, Ernesto recognized the need to innovate. He purchased a machine to handcraft sausages, marking the beginning of the sausage factory’s success.

Later in life, she married Luigi Beghelli from Dossobuono. They were married for 57 years, until his passing.

Luigia Pavoncelli passed away in Pescantina, Veneto, on 17 August 2019, at the age of 111 years, 87 days.

RECOGNITION

On 21 June 2017, following the passing of 110-year-old Rosina Paesan, she became the oldest living person in the region of Veneto. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Teresa Bovo.

Her age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio, and validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 15 November 2024. The validation was recognized by LongeviQuest on 5 January 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Nonna Luigina ha spento in scioltezza 106 candeline” – L’Arena, 27 May 2014

* “Luigina fa 110, è la veronese più longeva” – L’Arena, 23 May 2018

* “Addio a Luigina, era la più anziana del Veneto” – News e Notizie di Verona, 19 August 2019

GALLERY