Petronella Ribbens-Verstallen
- Full name: Petronella Ribbens-Verstallen
- Lifespan: (2 February 1873 – 22 July 1983)
- Age: 110 years, 170 days
- Birthplace: Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
- Last residence: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
- Application date: N/A
- Validation date: 24.05.2000
- Validation source: Gert Jan Kuiper
Biography
Petronella Maria Ribbens-Verstallen was born as the daughter of baker Jan Verstallen in Breda, North Brabant, The Netherlands on 2 February 1873. After her marriage with A.J. Ribbens in 1913, she moved to the city of Maastricht in Limburg, where her husband was offered a job as a train operator. She lived on her own until her husband’s death in 1959, when she moved to multiple retirement homes, the last one being “Lenculenhof”, where she celebrated her 110th birthday and broke the then Dutch longevity record.
Petronella became the oldest living person in the Netherlands on 24 January 1981, following the death of 110-year-old Wilhelmina Cammel. She became the oldest living person in Europe on 9 October 1982, following the death of 111-year-old Alice Brewster of the United Kingdom.
Petronella Ribbens-Verstallen died in Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands on 22 July 1983 at the age of 110 years, 170 days. Her Dutch longevity record was equalled by Margaretha Eijken in 1986, when she died at the same age.
Longevity Recognition
- Doyenne of the Netherlands (24.01.1981 – 22.07.1983)
- Oldest living person in Europe (09.10.1982 – 22.07.1983)
- Longevity Recordholder of Limburg (NED) (1983 – present)
- Longevity Recordholder of the Netherlands (1983 -1987) (since 1986 jointly with Margaretha Eijken)
Validation
The case of Petronella Ribbens-Verstallen was meticulously examined and verified by Gert Jan Kuiper, GRG Correspondent for the Netherlands and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) as of 24 May 2000.