LongeviQuest is pleased to share that Masa Matsumoto turns 114 years old. She is a Japanese supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Prefecture.  

Mrs. Matsumoto celebrated her 114th birthday on 29 November 2023 by meeting with her family. She received a stuffed bunny prepared by her great-grandchildren. At the celebration, she had several conversations with her family as she was feeling well and awake.

Masa Matsumoto at 114
Masa Matsumoto at 114

Mrs. Matsumoto even got excited at the news of seeing her granddaughter at the end of the year, as reported by her daughter. She exclaimed, “I’m so happy!” after hearing the news.  

Her family was also impressed by the 38 messages sent from all over the world congratulating Mrs. Matsumoto’s birthday celebration.

LongeviQuest Japan presented Mrs. Matsumoto with a plaque and a Phalaenopsis orchid.
LongeviQuest Japan presented Mrs. Matsumoto with a plaque and a Phalaenopsis orchid.

On 1 October 2023, LongeviQuest had the honor of visiting Mrs. Matsumoto to celebrate her longevity together with her family. At that time, LQ presented her with a plaque to certify her as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Prefecture. The plaque even came with a Phalaenopsis orchid which she remarked “It’s beautiful.”  

Masa Matsumoto was born on 29 November 1909 in Kōnan-cho, Kōka District (now part of the city of Kōka), Shiga Prefecture, Japan. She currently resides in a nursing home in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.  

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings for Mrs. Matsumoto’s 114th birthday celebration.   

For more information, please visit Masa Matsumoto’s Directory Profile here. 

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Klavdiya Gadyuchkina celebrated her claimed 114th birthday. She is a Russian supercentenarian validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation. 

Klavdiya was born on 5 December 1910 (despite claiming it was 24 November 1909) in the village of Norskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. Her validation type is classified as low-level classification so LongeviQuest is yet to acknowledge her age validation.

At the young age of 15, she started working at a spinning factory as an auxiliary worker. She then dedicated her career to this establishment by progressing into the roles of a spinner, assistant foreman, and production leader.

Undated photo from her early life. source: Gerontology Wiki

At some point in her life, she married Sergey Petrovich and had five children with him. Her eldest son was born right after the beginning of World War II while her youngest was born in 1945.  

When asked about her secret for having a long life, she would say “You have to work and treat everyone kindly.”

Klavdiya is currently staying in Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. 

For more information, please visit Klavdiya Gadyuchkina’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 share that Lucia Laura Sangenito turns 113 years old. She is an Italian supercentenarian known as the second-oldest living person in the country. 

Lucia was born on 22 November 1910 in Sturno, Campania, Italy. 

At some point in her life, she got married and had two children. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 2010. 

Lucia Laura at 113 years old
Lucia Laura at 113 years old. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3uzi2AZ

When she was 107 years old, she fell and fractured her femur resulting in a delicate surgery. At the age of 110, she already has two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings for Laura’s 113th birthday celebration. 

For more information, please visit Lucia Laura Sangenito’s Directory Profile here. 

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Maria Helena Aguiar, the oldest living nun in Portugal, celebrated her 110th birthday. She is a Portuguese supercentenarian who is currently the second-oldest living person in the country.  

Maria Helene Aguiar was born on 2 November 1913 in Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe. When she was three years old, she came to Portugal to live with a grandmother and an aunt in Braga. Three years later, she came to live in Lisbon with her parents. She then proceeded to enter the conservatory at age 15 or 16.

Maria Helena Aguiar at 110
Maria Helena Aguiar at 110

Maria Helena was a teacher at a school run by the Doroteias sisters in Viseu and then in Vila do Conde. Later on, she transferred to Porto to teach piano, an instrument she started playing when she was three years old, at the Colégio Nossa Senhora da Paz.  

Maria Helena Aguiar is currently residing at Colégio Nossa Senhora da Paz in Porto, Portugal.  

LongeviQuest sends our warmest regards to Sister Maria Helena in celebration of her 110th birthday.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Clarabell Demers, North Dakota’s oldest person, turns 113. She is an American supercentenarian known as the current oldest living person in North Dakota, USA. 

Clarabell Demers was born on 3 November 1910 in Acton, Walsh County, North Dakota, USA. 

Her granddaughter, Leanne, shared a recent photo of Clarabell holding a congratulatory certificate from the Office of the Governor of South Dakota. This is in recognition of her turning 113 years old, thus making her the oldest person in the state. The photo was then publicly shared by the WDAY  Meteorologist Lydia Blume in her social media post greeting Grandma D.

Clarabell Demers' 113th Birthday
Clarabell Demers’ 113th Birthday

In 1930, she was married to Frederick Demers with whom she had three children with. The family lived on a farm until 1944 before they purchased a building and refurbished it ito JR’s Bar. She and her husband ran the bar until Frederick passed away in 1979. Since then, it was operated by their son, Donald and grandsons Guy and Gene. 

Clarabell is currently residing in Grafton, North Dakota, USA. 

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings of celebration for Clarabell’s birthday. 

For more information, please visit Clarabell Demers’ Directory Profile here. 

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Juan Gabriel Hernández Matamoros turns 110 years old. He is a Costa Rican supercentenarian recognized as the oldest man in the country.

Juan Gabriel Hernández Matamoros was born on 19 October 1913 in Naranjo, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica.

He only attended school until the fourth grade because he left to work on the family farm where they grow coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and yucca. He also learned and became skilled in making oxen carts and other forms of carpentry and construction from some of his uncles. This became his lifelong career until he retired at the age of 80.

On his 109th birthday in 2022.
(Source: The 110 Club)

On 22 August 1936, Mr. Matamoros married Claudia Rodriguez Alvarado (1914-2008) and had seven children with her. The couple were married for 72 years before his wife passed away in 2008.

He attributes his longevity to avoiding vices, eating well, having at least eight hours of sleep at night, and working hard. This is what makes him to be in perfect health and still able to do some exercise on a daily basis.

Mr. Matamoros currently lives in Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica, along with his daughter.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings of celebration for Mr. Matamoros’ 110th Birthday. We wish you the best.

For more information, please visit Juan Gabriel Hernández Matamoros’ Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Pierina Pensa, the longest living resident of Lombardy, Italy, turns 110 years old. She is a recently turned Italian supercentenarian born in Castiglione Intelvi where she lived and would have met her future husband.

She married Alberto Botta and the couple had four children together. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 1986, making her a widow at that time that will take care of their children alone.

Her 110th birthday celebration was filled with bouquet of flowers, cake, and hugs from people that are important and special for the celebrant. The party was also graced by the mayors of Centro Valle Intelvi and Alta Valle Intelvi, Mayor Mario Pozzi and Mayor Marcello Grandi, respectively. Both are wearing tri-color sash around their necks.

Pierina Pensa's 110th Birthdaysource: https://www.ciaocomo.it/2023/10/16/augurissimi-nonna-pierina-110-anni-con-il-caffe-ed-il-canto-e-la-piu-longeva-residente-in-lombardia/263696/amp/
Pierina Pensa’s 110th Birthday source: https://longevi.quest/46RXnGk

She is currently living in RSA Valle Intelvi Retirement Home where she also celebrates her 110th birthday. Pierina moved and even sang during the party that was being celebrated for her.

Her youngest son, Marsilio, now 72, revealed her mother’s longevity to be, “Singing was always her passion, but I think mom’s elixir of long life was coffee. She always drank it and even today she drinks it with gusto and pleasure.”

The entire staff of Pellio RSA retirement home stopped by to celebrate with Pierina. According to her, this place is where she is loved and pampered.

LongeviQuest extends our warmest greetings of celebration for Pierina Pensa’s 110th birthday and wishes her the best.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Pearl Berg, the 10th oldest living person in the world, turns 114 years old. She is an American supercentenarian born on 1 October 1909 who is also the second-oldest living person in California, USA.

Pearl Berg was born in Evansville, Indiana, USA, to parents who are of Polish and Russian descent.

In November 1931, she married Mark Berg, an immigrant from Ukraine, and had two sons together.

With her husband, Mark, in 1931.

In 1937, she became a member of Temple Israel and continues to attend occasional services at the synagogue. Because of her longevity, she earned the title of being the oldest living Jew in the world. Pearl was tasked to write notes to bereaved families on behalf of the Temple Israel’s Sisterhood, which she was still doing until she was 105 years old.

Pearl is now the 10th oldest living person in the world, 3rd oldest living American, 2nd oldest living person from California, and the oldest living Jewish person in the world.

Berg on her 113th birthday in 2022. (Source: Gerontology Wiki)
Berg on her 113th birthday in 2022.
(Source: Gerontology Wiki)

Pearl Berg is currently residing at her own home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings to Mrs. Pearl Berg and her family and friends for her 114th birthday celebration.

For more information, please visit Pearl Berg’s Directory Profile here.