LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Leny Mackenbach. She was born in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands on 29 December 1912 and has recently passed away in Rotterdam at 110 years old (with reports saying she died on 7 December 2023 which has yet to be confirmed).
Following the death of 110-year-old Ebeltje Boekema-Hut on 11 June 2022, Leny Mackenbach became the oldest known living person in the Netherlands. She became the oldest known living person in the Benelux following the death of 111-year-old Magda Janssens of Belgium on 18 September 2023.
LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Leny Mackenbach.
LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Helene Sandvig. She was born in Chaffee, Cass County, North Dakota, United States on 25 November 1911 and passed away in Fargo, North Dakota, United States on 5 December 2023 at 112 years, 10 days. At the time of death, she was the second-oldest living person in the U.S. state of North Dakota, behind Clarabell Demers.
Raised on a farm near Chaffee, Sandvig experienced a rural upbringing, tending to pigs and chickens. Her education took place in various rural schoolhouses, sometimes requiring her to alternate with siblings in staying home for housework on Mondays. Sandvig pursued a teaching career, earning her certificate from Valley City State Teachers College (now Valley City State University). At just 19, she began her teaching journey, even using a horse and buggy to pick up her students.
On her wedding day. (Source: InForum)
Sandvig’s life path shifted in 1938 with her marriage. Choosing to dedicate herself to their farm, she stepped away from teaching. Although childless themselves, the couple opened their hearts and homes, fostering several children. Their farming life took them south of Embden before settling near Leonard. When her husband fell ill in 1974, they decided to sell the farm and move into an apartment in Leonard. In 2013, at the age of 101, she moved into a nursing home.
Helene Sandvig passed away in Fargo, North Dakota, USA, on 5 December 2023, at the age of 112 years, 10 days.
LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mrs. Helene Sandvig.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Alfred Fregosi of the United States at age 110. He was born in San Francisco, California, United States on 11 September 1913 to Italian-immigrant parents. Fregosi excelled academically and athletically at Balboa High, participating in both baseball and soccer. After marrying in 1944, they settled in San Mateo, California. The couple shared a love for travel, spending winters in Hawaii. Fregosi’s personal interests included golfing and gardening.
Alfred Fregosi’s 1932 high school yearbook photo. (Source: Balboa High School)
Following in his family’s footsteps, he took over their business, J. Fregosi and Son Florist, running it for several decades until retirement. Beyond the flower shop, Fregosi’s diverse career included playing baseball for a city league team, working at Bank of America, and serving in the Navy during World War II on Okinawa. Fregosi was recognized in his later years for being one of the oldest military veterans in the United States.
Alfred Fregosi passed away on 19 November 2023, at his home in San Mateo, California, aged 110 years, 69 days. He is survived by his daughters and grandchildren. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest living men in the United States.
LongeviQuest congratulates Alfred Fregosi’s family on her posthumous recognition.
For more information, please view Fregosi’s Directory Profile here.
LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Huang Decheng. Huang Decheng (Traditional Chinese: 黃德成) was born in the Empire of Japan (now Taiwan) on 14 November 1913 (according to his ID card). He passed away in Sanhe Village, Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan on 20 November 2023 at the age of 110 years, 6 days.
Huang Decheng on his 108th birthday (claimed East Asian 110th birthday) in 2021 (Source: Gerontology Wiki)
Though official records indicate 14 November 1913 as his birth date, Huang Decheng asserts to have been 2 years older. If the date of birth on the ID is correct, he was 110 years, 6 days old at the time of his passing. He explains this discrepancy by stating that his family waited to register him due to concerns about infant mortality.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Chiyo Matsuura of Japan at age 111. She was born in Japan on 2 January 1912. She was a wife and a mother.
Despite suffering a stroke at 99 in January 2011, Matsuura made a full recovery thanks to timely medical care and rehabilitation. Later that year, she received special recognition for her age and resilience. Both Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the city mayor presented her with congratulatory letters on Respect for the Aged Day.
Matsuura at the age of 103. (Source: blog goo)
Maintaining her independence, Matsuura continued to visit daycare twice a week in 2013 at the age of 101. Despite the frigid Hokkaido winters, she would stand outside her home, waiting for her caregivers to arrive. Assisted by her cane, she would then get into the car by herself. On her better days, she even enjoyed walks around the neighborhood. Even at 103 in 2015, she remained able to walk independently with the help of her walker. In September 2022, she was reported as the sixth-oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture.
Chiyo Matsuura passed away in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, on 30 January 2023, at the age of 111 years, 28 days.
LongeviQuest congratulates Chiyo Matsuura’s family on her posthumous recognition.
For more information, please view Matsuura’s Directory Profile here.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Chiyo Yanagawa of Japan at age 112. She was born in Japan on 28 September 1911. Yanagawa spent her working years as a teacher of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and flower arrangements.
From 2018 to 2022, her status as the oldest resident of Yao City earned her special joint visits for Respect for the Aged Day. Representatives from the city, a local welfare organization, and her family gathered to celebrate and express their respect. These visits included official letters, gifts, and bouquets of flowers. During a 2019 visit, a city official remarked, “We talk about you often at our senior citizen meetings.” Yanagawa’s witty reply, “I should charge a fee for my appearances,” brought laughter to the room.
In September 2018, shortly before her 107th birthday. (Source: Yao City)
At 107, Yanagawa attributed her long life to “eating, reading, and laughing a lot.” Reading newspapers and magazines remained a daily habit, and she reportedly started each day with a banana, cocoa powder, and porridge.
Living independently in her Yao City home with the aid of caregivers, Yanagawa now enjoys singing with her caregivers, listening to sumo, and singing contests on the radio by her bedside.
LongeviQuest congratulates Chiyo Yanagawa’s family on her recognition.
For more information, please view Yanagawa’s Directory Profile here.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce that Montreal, Canada has a new supercentenarian. Maria Lacasse has recently celebrated her 110th birthday, surrounded by her family and friends. It was shared that Lacasse is confident that she will blow out the candles not only for her 111th birthday but also for her 112th. Despite her impressive age, she has not lost any of her lucidity.
Maria Lacasse 110th Birthday Celebration (Source: https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2023/12/04/elle-celebre-son-110e-anniversaire-et-revele-le-secret-de-sa-longevite)
Maria Lacasse was born in Chertsey, Lanaudière, Canada on 4 December 1913. Lacasse’s caretakers describe her as a joy to work with, always smiling and eager to help, despite the demanding nature of their job. They spend almost more time with her than with their own families. Lacasse surprisingly claims that her bad temper is actually the key to her long life. To live a long time, she says, you need to be “uncomfortable.”
LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Campania, Italy’s second-oldest living woman turned 110. Zappone celebrated her birthday by achieving a new milestone: becoming the 22nd longest-lived woman in Italy. On her special day, Zappone was surrounded by loved ones and well-wishers from the community. Mayor Ruggiero spoke movingly, noting that her 110 candles represent the deep affection held for the elderly. He extended a special wish to this “beautiful lady,” who continues to share her wisdom and values.
Vittoria Zappone’s 110th Birthday Celebration (Source: https://www.irpinianews.it/nonna-vittoria-di-mirabella-eclano-compie-110-anni/)
Vittoria Zappone was born in Mirabella Eclano, Avellino, Campania Region, Italy on 4 December 1913. She was a former seamstress, a wife, and a mother to two children. She continues to share the warmth of family and the enduring wisdom gleaned from a life well lived.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Yasu Kushima of Japan at age 111. She was born in Japan on 10 May 1901. She ran a stationery store at her home until she was in her 80s. As of 2011, at the age of 110, she had nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Despite some difficulties with vision and hearing at 103, Kushima remained in good health and enjoyed sharing three meals a day with her family. Grapes and coffee were her favorite indulgences. Her sharp mind, honed from years of managing a stationery store, still allowed her to perform calculations with ease, even reciting multiplication tables at the age of 106. When she was at home, she would often sit in her living room and chat with friends from the neighborhood.
In September 2011, aged 110. (Source: Shizuoka Shimbun)
Kushima attributed her long life to simple pleasures: avoiding picky eating, maintaining a regular diet, and staying hydrated. Between 2004 and 2011, Kushida, the oldest person in Shimada City then, received seven mayoral visits for Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day. During her first visit at 103, she was gifted a cushion and roses. In 2005, she moved to a nursing home in Shimada City, where she continued to receive visits and gifts from officials. Despite declining eyesight and hearing, Kushima remained active through singing activities and maintained basic communication skills with family and staff. Her devoted grandson visited her daily.
Yasu Kushima passed away at her nursing home in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on 2 July 2012, at the age of 111 years, 53 days. At the time of death, she was the second-oldest living person in Shizuoka Prefecture, after Yasuko Kimura.
LongeviQuest congratulates Yasu Kushima’s family on her posthumous recognition.
For more information, please view Kushima’s Directory Profile here.
LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Michiko Matsumoto of Japan at age 111. She was born in Japan on 1 February 1904. She was a wife and mother.
At the age of 99, Matsumoto received a special visit from the mayor of Saijō City, where she resided with her grandson and his wife. This visit was followed by several others, with the mayor presenting her with gifts and celebrating her longevity. Despite her age, Matsumoto remained remarkably active, climbing stairs multiple times a day. She attributed her long life to her supportive family and her enjoyment of sweets and meat.
Matsumoto (right) at the age of 110, with the Mayor of Saijō, Masaru Aono. (Source: Saijō City)
In September 2014, she was reported as the third-oldest living person in Ehime Prefecture, after Yoneno Kouno and Hikari Kataoka. Upon Kataoka’s passing in February 2015, she became the second-oldest living person in the Prefecture.
Michiko Matsumoto passed away in Saijō City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, on 31 March 2015, at the age of 111 years, 58 days.
LongeviQuest congratulates Michiko Matsumoto’s family on her posthumous recognition.
For more information, please view Matsumoto’s Directory Profile here.
