Gerontology Research Group

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Viorica Vețian (known as Sister Maria Rodica), the oldest known living woman in Romania, celebrated her 110th birthday in Sighișoara, Mureș County, on 3 October 2026. Viorica Vețian was born on 3 October 1916, in the commune of Băla, Mureș County, Romania, into a respected family from the Gurghiu Valley. Her father, Traian Vețian, was a beloved schoolteacher from Șerbeni, while her family also included distinguished figures of the local Greek-Catholic community. Shortly before her birth, in 1915, her father made a generous donation to Romanian soldiers who had lost their sight during the First World War. Viorica experienced loss early in life. Her mother…

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Rosa Micaela Puertas Quiroga, the oldest known living person in Argentina, celebrated her 114th birthday in Buenos Aires, on 29 September 2026. Rosa Micaela Puertas Quiroga was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 29 September 1912, to Victoriano Puertas Herrero and Rosa Quiroga López. She was baptized in the city on 20 September 1913. During her childhood, she learned to read, write, and do math, in addition to helping with household chores. When her father fell ill and died during the Spanish flu pandemic, her mother decided to travel with her five children to Spain to protect them from the disease. As a young woman,…

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Lillie Cunningham (née Reynolds), the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Alabama, celebrated her 112th birthday in Florence, on 26 September 2026. Lillie Cunningham was born as Lillie Reynolds in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA, on 26 September 1914, to parents James and Irene Reynolds. In the 1930s, Lillie married Charles (“Charlie”) Cunningham, whom she has outlived. They had no known children. On 26 September 2024, Lillie celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On her 110th birthday, the City of Florence recognized her with the Key to the City, and she received a call from President Joe Biden. On 7 October 2024,…

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Naomi Whitehead (née Washington), the oldest known living person in the USA, celebrated her 116th birthday in Greenville, Pennsylvania, on 26 September 2026. Naomi Whitehead was born as Naomi Washington in Patterson, Georgia, USA on 26 September 1910, embarking on a life journey that included the following key points: She entered into matrimony with Sylvester Whitehead in the 1930s and together they were blessed with three sons: Parrish L. (1933–2011), Elbert, and Sylvester Jr. In 2011, she experienced the loss of her last surviving son while residing in Sharon, Pennsylvania. On 26 September 2020, Naomi Whitehead celebrated her 110th birthday, a momentous occasion that marked her…

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Marie Dominiqua Rosa (née Delbrocco), the oldest known living person in Canada, celebrated her 111th birthday in Toronto on 17 September 2026. Marie Rosa was born as Marie Dominiqua Delbrocco in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, on 17 September 1915, to Italian immigrant parents Louis and Rosa Delbrocco. She was the 4th of 12 children. Her birth was registered on 28 September 1915. There’s a longevity history in Marie’s family. Her dad, Louis, lived to be 105, while one of her sister passed at the age of 103. Marie married Gordon Rosa in 1952 and went on to have one daughter together – Catherine “Cathie” Sinisalo (born…