Anna Gawłowska (1913-2024) Doyenne of Poland

2024-07-20

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Mrs. Anna Gawłowska of Czerwionka-Leszczyny, Rybnik County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland; the Doyenne of Poland. Mrs. Gawłowska passed away on 19.07.2024, at the age of 111 years, 43 days.

Anna Gawłowska was the oldest citizen of Poland, her age was verified and validated by our institute, the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). She has always been active, a caregiver, saying that we should accept everything that fate sends us and smile at the world. Every visit to Anna Gawłowska was a huge privilege for us. At this sad time, our thoughts remain both with the loved ones of Mrs. Gawłowska, and in particular with daughter Urszula, who is a model of love, devotion and sacrifice for the Mother. On behalf of the entire community of the Municipality and City of Czerwionka-Leszczyny, we extend our condolences to her family and friends.

Anna Gawłowska was born in Cieszyn, Austria-Hungary (now Cieszyn, Cieszyn County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland, on 06.06.1913. At the age of 23, she married Rudolf Gawłowski. In 1947, the family moved to Czerwionka-Leszczyny, where Mrs. Anna’s husband took up work. She gave birth to a son and a daughter. She had one grandchild and two great-grandchildren. She lived in Czerwionka-Leszczyny with her daughter Urszula, who cared for her mother with love and great devotion.

On 6 June 2023, Anna Gawłowska stepped into the exquisite realm of supercentenarians as she marked her 110th birthday. On 15 May 2024, Anna Gawłowska was visited by Natalie Coles, wife of Dr. L. Stephen Coles, the founder of the GRG, and Dr. Aubrey de Grey. On 6 June 2024, she turned 111.

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) validated the age of Anna Gawłowska on 12.11.2023. She was the Doyenne of Poland (the oldest documented living person in Poland) following the death of Józefa Ciesielska in August 2023. The new Doyenne of Poland is Helena Michalik of Kazimierza Wielka, Kazimierza Wielka County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, born 22.05.1914, aged 110.

Rest in peace, Anna.