Tag: 1914-2023

LongeviQuest is saddened to share that French pianist Colette Maze passed away at 109 years old. She released her seventh album in 2023, making her the oldest recording pianists in the world.

Colette Maze was born on 16 June 1914 in Paris, France.  

She started playing the piano at the age of 5 and learned most of it in the comfort of their home until she was a teenager. When she was 15 years old, she formally studied the instrument at École Normale de Musique. In relation to her talent for playing the piano, she received a Pleyel piano as a gift for her 18th birthday which she kept for the rest of her life.

Colette Maze. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3RdPUN1

She started recording at the age of 90 after her son urged her to preserve the works of her teacher, Alfred Cortot. Until 2023, Colette was able to release seven recording albums.  

Colette Maze passed away on 19 November 2023 at her home in Paris.  

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

It is with a heavy heart for LongeviQuest to share that Jaak Broekx, the oldest man from Belgium, passed away at 109 years old. He was a Belgian centenarian who was the title holder for being the country’s oldest man at the time of his death.

Henricus Petrus Jacobus (Jaak) Broekx was born on 6 August 1914 in Bree, Limburg, Belgium.

Jaak spent his entire life working as a farmer until he was 100 years old. He never had a wife nor any children. He lived with his sister Christine until she passed away on 14 March 2015, when she was 97 years old.

As a young man. (Photo credit: rv/Greet Henderix)
As a young man.
(Photo credit: rv/Greet Henderix)

In 2020, Jaak moved into a nursing home as he was unable to maintain an independent life because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The nursing home reported that he was never ill during his stay with them. However, during his last moments, he was already using a wheelchair and was hard of hearing. On a positive note, he remained mentally sharp until he passed away.

Broekx died in a peaceful manner after falling asleep. He passed away in the morning of 31 October 2023 in Bree, Limberg, Belgium, at the age of 109 years old.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest living man in Belgium.

LongeviQuest extends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Jaak Broekx.

For more information, please visit Jaak Broekx‘s Directory Profile here.