LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Andrée Guyon. She was born in the commune of Aize, Indre Department, Centre-Val de Loire Region, France on 6 June 1911. She passed away in Saint-Éliph, Eure-et-Loir Department, Centre-Val de Loire Region, France, on 25 November 2023, at the age of 112 years. Following her passing, Lucienne Moreau succeeded her as the oldest living resident of the Centre-Val de Loire Region. At the time of her death, Guyon was the third-oldest living person in France, behind Marie-Rose Tessier and Andrée Bertoletto. Her age has been validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO).

On her wedding day in 1937. (Source: Geneanet)
On her wedding day in 1937.
(Source: Geneanet)

Guyon got married in 1937 and had two daughters. She moved to Saint-Éliph in 1941 and worked as a cook for a family in Champrond-en-Gâtine, while her husband managed the forestry estate. She continued to work as a cook until she was 99 and moved back to Saint-Éliph.

Aged 107. (Source: L'Action Républicaine)
Aged 107.
(Source: L’Action Républicaine)

In June 2011, she celebrated her 100th birthday with 80 family members. As a centenarian, she had six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. In the winter of 2015, Guyon underwent a leg amputation and required a wheelchair. However, she remained optimistic and attributed her longevity to good humor and hard work. At the age of 108, she was still interested in the news from France and around the world.

LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mrs. Andrée Guyon.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Emma Galode of Canada at age 112. She was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada on 22 August 1882. At the age of 26, she got married, and the couple had 1 daughter. Galode spent most of her life in Hamilton, where she operated a variety store with her husband. They retired in 1948.

At the age of 107, Galode remained independent, even taking the bus on her own for grocery shopping. However, in August 1993, shortly before her 111th birthday, she moved into Hillsdale Manor nursing home in Oshawa, Ontario. Despite her advanced age, Galode continued to use a walker to move around the nursing home at the age of 112.

On her 110th birthday, holding a copy of her birth certificate. (Source: The Toronto Star)
On her 110th birthday, holding a copy of her birth certificate.
(Source: The Toronto Star)

Galode passed away of pneumonia at Whitby General Hospital in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, on 9 September 1994, at the age of 112 years, 18 days. At the time of death, she was the third-oldest living person in Canada behind Marie-Louise Meilleur and Mary Ann Rhodes.

LongeviQuest congratulates Emma Galode’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Galode’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share the 112th birthday celebration of Helene Sandvig. She is an American supercentenarian currently known as the second-oldest living person in North Dakota.  

The party was held inside Bethany Retirement Living’s Chapel, and it was packed with friends who were reminiscing about Helene’s life and how she used to be the biggest chatterbox.  

Helene was born on 25 November 1911 on a farm near Chaffee, Cass County, North Dakota, USA.

Helene Sandvig at Valley News Live at 10:00PM KVLY - VOD
Helene Sandvig at Valley News Live at 10:00PM KVLY – VOD

After graduating from high school, she got her teaching certificate from Valley City State Teachers College. She was already teaching at the age of 19 while also picking up her students in a horse and buggy.  

In 1938, she married Edwin Sandvig and had no children with him. However, the couple fostered several children. After the marriage, she gave up her teaching career, and the couple focused on farming.  

In 2013, she moved into a nursing home at the age of 101. Helene currently lives in Fargo, North Dakota, USA.  

For more information, please visit Helene Sandvig’s Directory Profile here. 

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Sabina Zieg of the United States at age 112. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States on 12 November 1872 to German immigrants. She was reported to be less than 5 feet tall. She was a member of Glenshaw Presbyterian Church since 1930 and a member of the ladies auxiliary of Undercliff Volunteer Fire Co.

Zieg worked part-time in the housekeeping department of Glenshaw Presbyterian Church before moving into a nursing home. At the age of 102, when asked about her ambition, she said she wanted to live to be 103. On her 108th birthday, she was interviewed on the television show “Good Morning, America.” When asked about the secret to her longevity, she said, “Well, I eat jelly-bread sandwiches. Smucker’s makes the best.”

On her 110th birthday in 1982. (Source: The Pittsburgh Press)
On her 110th birthday in 1982.
(Source: The Pittsburgh Press)

On 30 April 1984, at the age of 111 years, 170 days, she surpassed the final age of Martha Brown (1858–1969), becoming the oldest person to ever live in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. She subsequently became the first person in the state to reach the age of 112. She held the title until her own final age was surpassed by Florence Knapp on 30 October 1985.

Zieg passed away of natural causes in the Presbyterian Home in Oakmont, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA, on 1 December 1984. She was survived by two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Following her death, she was succeeded as Pennsylvania’s oldest living person by Ida Turner.

LongeviQuest congratulates Sabina Zieg’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Zieg’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Haruyo Fukasawa at 112 years old. She was a Japanese supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture at the time of her death.

Haruyo Fukasawa was born on 21 March 1911 in Kajikazawa (now part of Fujikawa), Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

When she was a young woman, she worked at a paper mill and was involved in farming work.

At some point in her life, she had children.

At the age of 110. (Source: Sannichi Shinbun)
At the age of 110.
(Source: Sannichi Shinbun)

In June 2020, she moved into a nursing home at the age of 109 years old. It was reported that at 110 years old, she was still in good health as she could still do things independently.

Haruyo Fukasawa passed away on 15 September 2023 at a hospital in Fujikawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

For more information, please visit Haruyo Fukasawa’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Ontario’s second oldest person just turned 112 years old. Gertruda Gorecka was born on in Kiebel, Province of Posen, German Empire, which is now Keblowo, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland on 12 November 1911.

Undated
(Source: Windsor Star)

Gorecka’s lifelong passion has been creating exquisite costumes for the theater. Despite facing challenging times, including the hardships of communism, she has always maintained a positive and cheerful demeanor. Now lovingly cared for by her daughter and grandson, she continues to enjoy her harmonica, delighting others with her captivating renditions of patriotic melodies.

At the remarkable age of 105 in 2016, Gorecka’s spirit remained vibrant and her musical talents undiminished. During her 102nd birthday celebration, she serenaded her guests with beautiful patriotic tunes, showcasing her enduring passion for music.

Gorecka currently lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada at the age of 112 years. She is currently the second-oldest known living person in Ontario, after Helen Doan.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Ines Sommovigo, Italy’s fourth-oldest Living Person, celebrates 112th birthday. She is an Italian supercentenarian known as the current oldest living person in the region of Liguria.

Ines Sommovigo was born on 6 November 1911 in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy.

At some point in her life, she married Lorenzo Majoli and had three children with him. Unfortunately, their first child died after being given the wrong injection.

With her two children. (Source: RaiNews)
With her two children.
(Source: RaiNews)

During the World War II, her family hid a Jewish family and her brother-in-law in the cellar of the Majoli house.

At the age of 109, she got the COVID-19 virus but successfully healed from it.

Ines currently lives in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy, where she is the current oldest living person.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings for the celebration of Ines’ 112th birthday.

For more information, please visit Ines Sommovigo’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce the age validation of Avicia Thorpe of the United States at age 112. She was born in Danville, Virginia, United States on 16 April 1908. She was a sister and a wife.

On her wedding day. (Source: nbc29)
On her wedding day.
(Source: nbc29)

Thorpe graduated at the top of her class at Holbrook Street Presbyterian School and earned a bachelor’s degree in social science with honors from Bluefield State College. She taught English at Westmoreland High School from 1933 to 1936 and then continued at John M. Langston High School until 1966.

Thorpe passed away in Danville, Virginia, USA, on 24 December 2020, at the age of 112 years, 252 days.

On 16 June 2018, following the death of 112-year-old Lillian Stubbs, she became the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Virginia.

LongeviQuest congratulates Avicia Thorpe’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Avicia Thorpe’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Fuji Takashima. She was born in Kotsubo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on 15 August 1911. She passed away in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, from old age just before 9 a.m. on October 23, 2023, at the age of 112 years and 69 days.

In September 2018, aged 107. (Source: Kanagawa Shinbun)
In September 2018, aged 107.
(Source: Kanagawa Shinbun)

Takashima was one of the supercentenarians with vivid memories of the Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred in Japan on September 1, 1923. At the age of 93, she shared the story of her experience at an elementary school in Zushi City. This led to the publication of a picture book in 2021 by “Geo Kanagawa”, in which she talked about her experience of the disaster. For more information about her earthquake recollection experience, please view Takashima’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mrs. Fuji Takashima.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce the age validation of Nobu Kōno at 112 years old. She is a Japanese supercentenarian recognized as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City. She was also reported as the second-oldest living person in Kanagawa Prefecture

Nobu Kōno was born on 28 March 1911 in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

After she graduated from elementary school, she spent her time working as a babysitter in a mansion in Tokyo. It was a common practice among Japanese girls during that era.

Around 21 years old, Nobu got married to someone and went on to have five children.

In August 2023, aged 112. (Source: Courtesy of the nursing home)
In August 2023, aged 112.
(Source: Courtesy of the nursing home)

She reiterated many hardships that her family had to endure during World War II. She experienced having the need to plant sweet potatoes and other vegetables on Tsurumi Riverbed because of lack in food supplies. They also had to evacuate to Yamanashi when the Kanagawa Air Raid emerged. After the war, her family returned to Kanagawa where she focused on raising her children as a housewife.

She started to live independently after her husband passed away in 1978. Her home was situated on top of a steep hill that she needed to climb daily which made her legs and hips stronger. However, when she was 105 years old, she got aspiration pneumonia which forced her to move into a nursing home. At age 112, she is still capable of feeding herself without any assistance.

Nobu Kōno currently lives in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In September 2023, she was recognized as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City.

For more information, please visit Nobu Kōno’s Directory Profile here.