Fernande Courtoy, Belgium’s oldest living person, dies at 109
The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to report news that Mrs. Fernande Courtoy, the oldest living person in Belgium, sadly died in Charleroi, Hainaut, Belgium on 28 May 2024 at the age of 109 years, 329 days.
Fernande Courtoy was born in Thuin, Hainaut, Belgium on 4 July 1914. She attended university where she studied and earned a degree in pharmacy. In the 1930s, she married a coal mine engineer, with whom she had three children. Although she and her husband lived comfortably enough, Courtoy desired an occupation for herself and so she began managing a pharmacy in Charleroi, Hainaut. She additionally cooked meals for her family.
She retired from her pharmacy job at the age of 65. She did, however, occasionally work in the profession in the following years. She enjoyed traveling during retirement, visiting nations such as China and Thailand.
She resided in her own home until February 2023, when she moved into a nursing home located in Charleroi. At the age of 109, had seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Following the death of 111-year-old Magda Janssens on 18 September 2023, she became the oldest living person in Belgium.
After her death, the new oldest living person in Belgium is 108-year-old Denise Waelbers (born 26 September 1915) of Mortsel, Antwerp.
La doyenne des Belges, Fernande Courtoy, est décédée à 109 ans
Benedictus “Louis” Bellens, the oldest living man in Belgium died in Geel, Antwerp on 28 May 2024 at the age of 107 years, 192 days. He was born on 18 November 1916 and was the oldest living man in Belgium since the death of 107-year-old Albertus Van Raemdonck on 21 April 2024. Coincidentally, he died on the same day as the oldest living person in Belgium, Fernande Courtoy. His successor, as the new oldest living man in Belgium, is 107-year-old Dr. Alfons Leempoels (born 1 January 1917) of Flemish Brabant.
Oudste man van België Louis Bellens op 107 in Geel overleden
