1913-2023 Archives

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Aiko Ōkubo at 110 years old. She was a Japanese supercentenarian born on 28 January 1913 in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

In 1934, she was married to a technical civil engineering officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Home Ministry of Japan). She had four children with him.

In 1938, the family travelled across the sea to live in Manchuria, Northeastern China, which was a puppet state of the Japanese empire. Aside from enduring extreme temperatures during winter, the family also had to endure too many hardships such as their 20 km walk to Dashiqiao. They even got bundled into a freight train going north wherein they jump off the train because they don’t know where they are going. After a long, perilous journey in China, the family managed to get into a boat bound for Japan. They arrived at Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, in June 1946.

Aiko tried to return to her hometown in Mito but found it completely burned down. On the other hand, her husband’s family was safe and unharmed, and so he inherited his family’s construction business.

In August 2014, aged 101.
(Source: ibjcp.gr.jp)

Aiko travelled around Japan to visit nursing homes and give talks about her experiences. She would also play her Nagoya harp for them. Aiko did this until she was 104 years old.

Mrs. Ōkubo was proud that she was able to raise fine and well-rounded children despite the hardships that they had to go through in China. One became a university professor, the other became a doctor, and the third managed a private elderly care facility.

Mrs. Ōkubo passed away on 22 September 2023 in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

For more information, please visit Aiko Ōkubo’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is saddened to report that Madeleine Stanley, Ontario’s third-oldest living person, passed away at 110 years old. She was a British-born supercentenarian who is one of the oldest living residents of Ontario, Canada, at the time of her death.

Madeleine was born on 8 February 1913 in Harlington, Middlesex, United Kingdom.

She won many racing trophies while using her MG and AJS motorbikes. During World War II, she headed a group of female drivers.

In 1947, Madeleine emigrated to Canada and married Keith Stanley. The couple then had a son after settling on a farm in Broadbent, Ontario.

Stanley in middle age

In 1960, the family moved to Parry Sound, Ontario, where she was worked as a chef in various restaurants.

Shortly after celebrating her 108^th birthday in 2021, she claimed that her secret to longevity was “You have to live a little on the wild side.”

Mrs. Stanley passed away on 5 November 2023, in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.

LongeviQuest sends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Madeleine.

For more information, please visit Madeleine Stanley’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Bienvenido Díaz Guilfú at age 110. He was a Puerto Rican supercentenarian known as the oldest man in the country at the time of his death.

Bienvenido Díaz Guilfú was born on 12 July 1913 in Patillas, Puerto Rico.

He would sell at the local market the cultivated crops from his farm that he planted himself.

Bienvenido at 110

When he was around 90 years old, he was blind due to glaucoma. The good thing is that he remained coherent and in good shape despite his old age.

Bienvenido Díaz Guilfú passed away on 5 November 2023 in Mulas, Patillas, Puerto Rico.

LongeviQuest sends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mr. Bienvenido.

For more information, please visit Díaz Guilfú’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share the age validation of Mary Lou Giles at 110 years old. She was an American supercentenarian known as the third-oldest living person in Virginia, USA, at the time of her death.

Mary Lou was born on 20 April 1913 in Dry Fork, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA.

In 1932, when she was 19 years old, she married Leeland Samuel Giles and had four children together.

Undated.
(Source: Claytor Rollins Funeral Home)

Mrs. Giles visited Alaska, Bermuda, Europe, Hawaii, and the Island of Terceira in Azores, where she resided for several months.

Mary Lou Giles passed away on 31 August 2023 at her home in Poquoson, Virginia, USA, at the age of 110 years and 133 days old.

For more information, please visit Mrs. Giles’ Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Margaret Jaman at 110 years old. At the time her death, she was a Canadian supercentenarian who was the oldest known person of full Icelandic descent on record.

Margaret Jaman was born on 21 July 1913 in Miami, Manitoba, Canada. She grew up in the Arbakka district.

Right after finishing Normal School, she spent the next 14 years of her life teaching in Southeast Manitoba.

Undated.
(Source: Birchwood Funeral Chapel)

In 1938, she was married to George Jaman and the couple started operating a farm in Arbakka until 1955. This is after they moved to Harwood, North Dakota. The next year, they returned to Manitoba and acquired a grain farm in Dufrost where the two of them would stay until they retired to Steinbach.

Margaret Jaman passed away on 18 September 2023 in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. At the time of her death, she was 110 years old and was the second-oldest living person in Manitoba.

For more information, please visit Margaret Jaman’s Directory Profile here.