Tag: centenarian

It is with a heavy heart for LongeviQuest to announce the death of Slovakia’s oldest citizen, Gizela Dvončová at 106 years old.

Mrs. Gizela Dvončová was born on 7 December 1916, Partizanske, Trencin Region of Slovakia (known as Austria-Hungary at the time of her birth). She started devoting her whole life to folklore and theater at the young age of 16 years old as she deeply expresses her love for singing. Basically, singing to herself everywhere and anywhere plus having a good mood always, are the secrets for her longevity.

The oldest Slovak, Gizela Dvončová (pictured), died at the age of 106. Photo - TASR - Radovan Stoklasa
The oldest Slovak, Gizela Dvončová (pictured), died at the age of 106. Photo – TASR – Radovan Stoklasa

Mrs. Dvončová was very active when it came to her passion. It was shown when she took part in a singing competition when she was 99 years old. She was also strong willed as she participated in the Slovak parliamentary election in February 2020 when she was 103 years old. Mrs. Dvončová even stated that she understands politics very well since she was younger and that she always encouraged her family to also vote.

Mrs. Dvončová became the oldest known living person in Slovakia on 1 May 2022 when the 106-year-old Margita Bindasova passed away.

Mrs. Gizela Dvončová passed away on 28 May 2023 in the very place she was born, in Partizanske, Trencin Region, Slovakia. She was a centenarian whose age is not yet validated by LongeviQuest. It is not yet known who the new oldest living person in Slovakia is, but the title might be at the hands of Ilona Szekér, a 105-year-old centenarian from the city of Nitra.

LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mrs. Gizela Dvončová.

LongeviQuest is saddened to report the death of the second oldest known Greenlandic man on the record, Jørgen Kleemann. He was born in the village of Aappilattoq, Municipality of Avannaata, Greenland on 7 March 1923 and passed away in his sleep on 11 May 2023 at Ippiarsuk, Nuuk, Greenland.

Mr. Kleemann was a well-known accordion player. He began publishing his music in 1980, and it has since become cassette tapes, CDs, and records. He made several of his music with his son Sejer Kleemann. In 2001, he was awarded the Greenland Medal for Meritorious Service, the highest award based in Greenland. He also received the Naalakkersuisut’s Cultural Prize for his work with music and theatre in 2014, which is also considered one of Greenland’s most prestigious awards.

Jørgen Kleemann received Greenland Culture Prize in 2014. (Source: sermitsiaq.ag)

He recently celebrated his 100th birthday on 7 March 2023, making him Greenland’s second known male centenarian. The mayor of Sermersooq Municipality gave him a Kaffemik celebration and extended a celebratory speech for Mr. Kleemann. His son mentioned that his father had been looking forward to turning 100.

On 28 February 2021, he became the oldest known living man and person in Greenland following the death of 102-year-old Anton Geisler (Greenland’s first known male centenarian, and the oldest Greenlandic man ever). His age has been verified by LongeviQuest using his baptismal record. Mr. Kleemann was Greenland’s only known centenarian at his death.

LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mr. Jørgen Kleemann.