Francis Piscatella, WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING NUN, celebrated her 113th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Francis Piscatella, known as “Sister Dominici“, the WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING NUN whose age is recognized by Guinness World Records, has celebrated her 113th birthday on 20 April 2026 in East Williston, New York, USA.
Francis Piscatella was born in Central Islip, New York, USA, on 20 April 1913. Her left forearm was amputated when she was two years old, which caused her to be rejected by many religious organizations. Her mother taught her independence, and she had to prove that there was nothing she couldn’t do.
Piscatella was accepted by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville in 1931, and soon afterwards earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at St. John’s University. She worked as a grade school mathematics teacher in Brooklyn.
Piscatella taught for 52 years at Molloy College, and later worked at its Financial Aid office before her retirement at the age of 84. She sponsored many other nuns when they wished to join the convent.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Piscatella would attend mass virtually and pray daily. On 20 April 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. At that time, she could still walk with assistance.
Piscatella’s age was verified by Oliver Trim and Dr. Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the GRG on 6 April 2024.
On 30 April 2025, following the death of 116-year-old Inah Canabarro Lucas of Brazil (who was the world’s oldest living person), she became the WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING NUN whose age is recognized by Guinness World Records.
On 27 January 2026, following the death of 113-year-old Louise Signore, she became the oldest living person in the U.S. state of New York.
Francis Piscatella currently lives in East Williston, New York, USA, at the age of 113.
Happy 113th birthday to Mrs. Francis Piscatella! We wish her a good health and a long life!
LINKS: World’s oldest nun, Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella, celebrates 113th birthday on Long Island • Sister Frances Dominici Piscatella, OP, our inspiring oldest religious sister in the world at 113 years old today