Margaret Romans, Canada’s oldest person, dies at 113
The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to relay news that Margaret Romans of Quebec, Canada, has passed away at the age of 113. She was the oldest living person in Canada before she died, as well as the oldest known Latvian-born person ever. Margaret Mezgailis was born on March 16 1912 in Riga, Latvia. She married Heinrich (Henry) Romans in 1941. They never had any children. Not long after their marriage they were forced to leave Latvia, living in Germany for a while before moving to Canada. They settled in Quebec. Henry sadly died in 2002, after which Margaret lived alone until she was 107 when she moved into a…
Andrée Bertoletto, France’s second-oldest person, dies at 114
The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to announce the death of Andree Bertoletto of France on October 16 2025, aged 114. Andrée Bertoletto was born in La Chapelle-Anthenaise, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire, France, on 1 January 1911. On 25 May 1935, in Montsûrs, she married Désiré Alphonse Désiderio Alfonso Bertoletto. She was widowed in 1978. The couple had no children. She resided in her own home until the age of 105, when she endured a challenging night cleaning up after a flood. Subsequently, she moved to a nursing home. On 1 January 2025, her 114th birthday, she was visited by GRG Correspondent for France, Sylvain Grosgeorge. Andrée Bertoletto passed…
Oldest living woman in North Carolina, Catherine Ferrell, turns 113
The Gerontology Research Group is delighted to report that Mrs. Catherine Ferrell – the oldest living person in the US state of North Carolina – has celebrated her 113th birthday. Catherine Ferrell was born in Warsaw, North Carolina, USA on 10 October 1912. Her mother’s name was Callie Spearman and she had one sister, Mary. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1931 as valedictorian of her class. She also played on the school’s basketball team. Ferrell’s mother instilled the importance of getting an education and she also made sure that both of her daughters attended Sunday school every Sunday. Ferrell aspired to be a teacher, but did not have the resources…
Oldest living woman in Texas, Winnie Felps, turns 114
The Gerontology Research Group is delighted to report that Mrs. Winnie Felps – the oldest living person in the US state of Texas – has celebrated her 114th birthday. Winnie Felps was born in Coryell County, Texas, USA on 10 October 1911 as the daughter of Bunyan Polk and Fannie Belle Powell (née Newman). She was one of at least eight siblings. On Christmas Eve in 1935, Winnie Felps married Ralph Felps in Lampasas County, Texas, beginning a journey of love and companionship that would last for nearly 47 years. During their years together, the couple welcomed eight children into their lives: Dorothy, Jimmie, Randy, Barbara, Sandra, Brenda, Ralph Jr., and Winnie Lee. Winnie…
Josino Levino Ferreira, World’s Second-Oldest Man, dies at 112
We, the Gerontology Research Group are deeply saddened to report the passing of Mr. Josino Levino Ferreira of Brazil. He might have passed away as the world’s oldest man, and he was a candidate for the title. Josino Levino Ferreira was born in Conceicao, Paraiba, Brazil on 3 April 1913. For his entire career, he worked as a farmer. In 1941, he married Sebastiana Ana da Conceicao. Ana died in 2001 at the age of 87. On 3 April 2023, he celebrated his 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. At the age of 112, he had 3 living children, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Josino Levino Ferreira passed away…