1911 Archives

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)

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)

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 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

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 Simonne Leduc at 111 years old. She was a Canadian supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in Quebec at the time of her death.

Leduc was born on 31 October 1911 Saint-Timothée, Quebec, Canada.

At some point in her life, she married Orphir Leduc with whom she had three children with.

Undated.
(Source: Résidences Funéraires Goyer)

Simonne passed away on 26 October 2023 in Laval, Quebec, Canada.

For more information, please visit Simonne Leduc’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Fusa Hikage of Japan at age 111. She was born in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan on 30 March 1911. She was a wife and a mother to 4 children.

Hikage was known for her love of handicrafts, often crafting dolls and tissue covers as gifts for her 8 grandchildren. In 2016, she transitioned to a specialized nursing home for the elderly.

On 29 January 2020, following the death of 109-year-old Yasu Nara, she became the oldest living person in Ōdate City.

In September 2022, she was reported as the third-oldest living person in Akita Prefecture, behind Mitsuno Satō and Yūko Satō. Following Satō’s passing on 6 October, she became the second-oldest living person in the Prefecture.

Hikage passed away in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan, on 20 November 2022, at the age of 111 years.

LongeviQuest congratulates Fusa Hikage ’s family on her posthumous recognition.

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

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Kane Toriba of Japan at age 111. She was born in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan on 4 December 1911. After finishing elementary school, she dedicated several years to assisting her parents on their farm. Later, she fell in love and married her husband. The couple subsequently had five children.

During World War II, Toriba balanced raising her children and managing household responsibilities by engaging in sericulture, yarn pongee production, and weaving. Her family remarked on her exceptional skills and diligence, making her a highly productive worker compared to others.

At the age of 110.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)

Toriba experienced a fall at 73 that caused a broken femur. This has required her to use a wheelchair ever since. Her daily routine includes morning calf massages with a massager, newspaper reading, attending a daycare service four times a week, and a 15-minute footbath before bed to warm her legs. This routine, organized by her son to improve blood circulation in her legs, has been her practice for 20 years. At 109, she was hospitalized four times in a year due to cholecystitis but made a full recovery after each month-long stay and has not had another episode since. Despite her age of 111, her family reports that she travels easily, as she spends her days sitting without lying down.

In September 2018, she was reported as the oldest living person in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture.

For more information, please view Mrs. Toriba’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)

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 112^th 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)

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’ 112^th birthday.

For more information, please visit Ines Sommovigo’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)

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 pleased to announce the age validation of Leato Wetherald of Canada at age 110. She was born in Dawn Mills, Ontario, Canada on 23 September 1911. She was a sister, a wife, and a mother to a daughter.

In 1953, the Wetherald family moved from Dresden, Ontario to 100 Mile House, British Columbia. They bought a stake in a logging and sawmill business, and Leato worked as the bookkeeper. In 1958, the family moved to Kamloops, where she worked as a bookkeeper at a law firm for over 20 years.

At the age of 101.
(Source: The Acorn)

At the age of 101, she moved from Kamloops to Vancouver to be closer to her family. She resided at Shannon Oaks Retirement Community until she was 107 when she moved to the Royal Arch Home.

Wetherald passed away in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on 23 January 2022, at the age of 110 years, 122 days. She was survived by her daughter, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and her younger sister, Jean.

LongeviQuest congratulates Leato Wetherald’s family on her posthumous recognition.

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