Jadwiga Szubartowicz
- Full name: Jadwiga Szubartowicz
- Lifespan: 16.10.1905 – 20.07.2017
- Age: 111 years, 277 days
- Birthplace: Lublin, Russian Empire (now Lublin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
- Last residence: Lublin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
- Application date: 16.10.2015
- Validation date: 26.01.2016
- Validation source: Waclaw Jan Kroczek/Janina Cudna
Biography
Born in Lublin, Russian Empire (now Lublin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland), Jadwiga Szubartowicz’s journey through life was a testament to strength, resilience, and a profound connection to history.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz was born in Lublin, then Russian Empire (now Lublin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland) on October 16, 1905. As a child, she lived in Sankt Petersburg together with her parents, sister and brother. As a child, she witnessed the tumultuous 1917 Russian Revolution in Sankt Petersburg, an experience marked by loss as her father succumbed during those turbulent times. Despite the challenges, Jadwiga and the rest of her family returned to Poland, where she eventually graduated from the Ursuline sisters’ gymnasium and pursued 5 years’ pedagogical studies alongside her sister. In adulthood, she worked as an accountant, navigating the complexities of life with grace.
World War II tested her once again, and during those dark days in Lublin, she played a role in saving the renowned Jan Matejko painting “Battle of Grunwald” from Nazi occupants. The war brought tragedy into her life. Her brother was arrested by the nazis in Kraków and was murdered in Buchenwald concentration camp. After the war, Jadwiga married Antoni Szubartowicz, a veteran of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Their enduring love lasted for an incredible 50 years, despite not having children of their own.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz was, alongside Jadwiga Młynek of Kalisz (Greater Poland Voivodeship) the last suriving person in Poland born in 1905 as of the summer of 2015. Following Jadwiga Młynek’s death on August 1, 2015, Jadwiga Szubartowicz assumed the title of the Doyenne of Poland.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz’s life story is a tapestry of historical significance, personal loss, and unwavering resilience. On October 16, 2015, she celebrated her 110th birthday becoming a supercentenarian, the first in Poland since the death of Aleksandra Dranka on April 29, 2014. On her 110th birthday, she reflected on the transformation of Lublin, her birthplace, which used to be a poor city in the East of Poland and in 2015 it was teeming with enthusiasm of the people living in it. Mrs. Szubartowicz said she could feel it despite not leaving her home anymore. Her mind remained lucid and she had a great memory. She kept abreast of the events in her city, country and the world.
On this day, Mrs. Szubartowicz offered a profound message to the world: “The life of a man on the Earth is neither easy nor light. One needs to educate, expand horizons and improve constantly. And, with the help of God, search for good, beauty, and truth. Break and vanquish the evil. That has always been my recipe for life.”
Wacław Jan Kroczek, GRG Correspondent for Poland, met Jadwiga Szubartowicz on four different occasions – her 110th birthday, in June 2016, her 111th birthday, and also in April 2017. Each of these meetings brought much joy and happiness to both, as well as invaluable information necessary for the scientific age validation.
Acknowledged for her remarkable life, on March 8, 2016, Jadwiga Szubartowicz was visited by Krzysztof Żuk, president of Lublin. On that occasion, she was granted with the title of Honorary Citizen of Lublin. Later that month, she was also visited by Stanislaw Budzik, archbishop of Lublin diocese. On October 16, 2016, Mrs. Szubartowicz celebrated her 111th birthday being then one of only five people in the modern history of Poland to have eclipsed such a long lifespan. On the occasion of Polish Independence Day, she was visited by the Prime Minister of Lublin Voivodeship and recalled the historical event, during which she was 13 years old.
In April 2017, Jadwiga Szubartowicz was visited by Stanisław Budzik, archbishop of Lublin. Although she had only recently recovered from pneumonia, she was in good spirits and enjoyed a chat with the archbishop who told her about his recent visit to Belarus.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz died on July 20, 2017 at the age of 111 years, 277 days. She was the last surviving person in Poland born in 1905. Her funeral took place on July 26, 2017. The oldest living person in Poland following her passing became then 111-year-old Tekla Juniewicz (born June 10, 1906). The oldest living person in Lublin Voivodeship became then 107-year old Marianna Blaziak (1909–2019) who herself became supercentenarian in September 2019.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz’s passing in July 2017 marked the end of an era. Her legacy of wisdom, resilience, and a commitment to goodness lives on. May she rest in peace.
Longevity Recognition
Jadwiga Szubartowicz became the oldest living person in Lublin Voivodeship following the death of 108-year old Karolina Jośko on March 1, 2013.
On August 1, 2015, the oldest living person in Poland, Jadwiga Mlynek (1905-2015) died aged 109. Following her death, two-weeks-younger Jadwiga Szubartowicz assumed the title of Doyenne of Poland.
On October 16, 1905, Jadwiga Szubartowicz became the first supercentenarian in the history of Lublin Voivodeship.
She was the last surviving person in Poland born in 1905. At the time of her death she was the second-oldest person in Poland’s history 40 days shy of the final age achieved by Wanda Wierzchleyska (1900 – 2012).
Longevity Titles
- Oldest living person in Lublin Voivodeship (01.03.2013 – 20.07.2017)
- Longevity recordholder of Lublin Voivodeship
- Doyenne of Poland (01.08.2015 – 20.07.2017)
Validation
The age of Jadwiga Szubartowicz was verified by Waclaw Jan Kroczek, GRG Correspondent for Poland and Nordic Countries, and Janina Cudna, with the significant help and support from Mrs. Szubartowicz’s family, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) as of Jan. 26, 2016.
Wacław Jan Kroczek, GRG Correspondent for Poland, met Jadwiga Szubartowicz on four different occasions – her 110th birthday, in June 2016, her 111th birthday, and also in April 2017. Each of these meetings brought much joy and happiness to both, as well as invaluable information necessary for the scientific age validation.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz, 110
Jadwiga Szubartowicz on her 110th birthday.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz, 110, with Wacław Jan Kroczek, GRG Correspondent for Poland in June 2016.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz, 110, in Jan. 2016.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz on her 111th birthday, with Wacław Jan Kroczek and Ewa Dados.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz, 111, on Nov. 11, 2016; 98th anniversary of Poland’s Independence
Jadwiga Szubartowicz, 111, with Krzysztof Żuk, President of Lublin
Jadwiga Szubartowicz being honored by the President of Lublin.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz during the visit of Stanisław Budzik, the archbishop of Lublin doicese.
Jadwiga Szubartowicz (1905-2017)