Gunborg Hancock
Supercentenarian data for Sweden
- Full name: Gunborg Marita Hancock (née Westling)
- Lifespan: (20.04.1912 – 16.10.2024)
- Age: 112 years, 179 days
- Birthplace: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Russian Empire (now Finland)
- Last residence: Stockholm, Sweden
- Application date: 20.04.2022
- Validation date: 24.09.2023
- Validation source: Victor Bjoerk/Waclaw Jan Kroczek
Biography
Gunborg Hancock was born as Gunborg Marita Westling in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Russian Empire (now Finland) on 20 April 1912. Her parents were Georg Westling (1879–1930) and Elin Lundblad (1875–1953) who was adopted. She had two sisters: Maj-lis (1908–1967) and Asta (1910–1977).
In 1937, she married George Londen (1910–1940) who died a few years later in the Winter War. In 1943, three years after the death of her first husband, she married painter and ceramicist Robert Hancock (1912–1993).
When the Germans entered the country in 1944, she and Robert fled to Sweden with a lot of Jews in a passenger ships. In Sweden, they lived with another family. Hancock worked at a printing company. Later, Robert wished to study in France, so they moved to Paris. Hancock worked as a typograph, but she never went to the meetings. She wouldn’t know what they thinking about her. She also lived for a while in London. Gunborg and Robert divorced in 1958, and she later returned to Stockholm. She had no children.
On 9 April 2022, following the death of 112-year-old Flarid Lagerlund, she became the oldest living person in Sweden.
On 20 April 2022, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian.
On 18 July 2022, following the death of 110-year-old Astrid Qvist of Finland, she became the oldest living Finnish-born person and the oldest living person in Nordic Countries.
On 7 July 2024, at the age of 112 years, 78 days, she surpassed the final age of Suoma Korkee (1886–1998), becoming the oldest Finnish emigrant ever, as well as the second-oldest Finnish-born person, behind Maria Rothovius (1887–2000).
Gunborg Hancock died in Stockholm, Sweden on 16 October 2024 at the age of 112 years, 179 days. Following her death, then 112-year-old Agnes Bostrom, became the oldest living person in Sweden and the Nordic countries.
Longevity recognition
- Oldest living person in Sweden (09.04.2022 – 16.10.2024)
- Oldest living person in the Nordic countries (18.07.2022 – 16.10.2024)
Validation
Her age was meticulously examined and verified by Victor Bjoerk (GRG Correspondent for Sweden) and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 24 September 2023.
Gunborg Hancock at the age of 108.
Gunborg Hancock as a young woman.
Gunborg Hancock on her 110th birthday in 2022.
Gunborg Hancock on her 111th birthday in 2023.
Gunborg Hancock on her 112th birthday in 2024.