Belgium Archives

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)

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.

It is with a heavy for LongeviQuest to share that Magda Janssens, the oldest person in Belgium, passed away peacefully on 18 September 2023. She was a Belgian supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in Belgium and the Benelux. Her age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) in 2022.

According to the news report, Magda passed away peacefully on Monday evening around 11 PM CET. It was a sad news reported from the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost Residential Care Center in Zandhoven, Antwerp, Belgium.

Sad News from the Residential Care Center

Care Center Director Charlotte Leemans shared that Magda had a particularly beautiful day when her family visited her on Monday. However, Magda’s daughter, Francine, sensed that it could be their last visit to her. That is why the family was very sad but also greatly appreciates the great times they had with Magda during her life. In the Director’s own words, “For all of us it is not only a personal loss – Magda was very much loved – but also the loss of an icon.” This is how she describes the passing of Magda Jenssens whom she also called as their Our Lady of Consolation.

Magda Janssens on her 111th birthday on March 16 this year. — © Joren De Weerdt
Retrieved from: https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230919_95358675

Magda Jenssens celebrated her 111th birthday on 16 March 2023 while looking so fragile. However, she was actually more optimistic this time rather than when she received the title of oldest resident of the Benelux in November 2022. She was happy to be there as the king and queen had a pot of flowers delivered for her. Her son, André (88 years old), was not able to attend the celebration due to COVID, but her daughter, Francine (76 years old), was present as she was also living in Zandhoven.

Biography

Magda Janssens was born on 16 March 1912 in the district of Deurne, Antwerp, Belgium. On 24 October 1936, she married her first husband who passed away on 23 April 1937. The next year, she remarried on 1 October 1938 and had four children with her second husband.

Janssens passed away on 18 September 2023 in Zandhoven, Antwerp, Belgium. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in Belgium and the Benelux at 111 years and 186 days old.

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

For more information, please visit Magda Janssens’ Directory Profile here.