Oldest Belgian dies, aged 111

Fernande De Raeve, who turned 111 just last Sunday, making her the oldest living Belgian, has died at her home in the Het Heiveld nursing home in Ghent. The city had planned a party for De Raeve, but she was too sick to attend, said city councillor Sofie Bracke.

“I had the opportunity to get to know Fernande, and she was a wonderful lady,” said Bracke. “Despite her limited vision, she embraced life and enjoyed company. It is terribly sad that we have to say goodbye to our oldest Gentenaar and also our oldest Belgian citizen.”

De Raeve was born on 3 December 1906 in Ghent. As a child, she lost both her parents in the First World War.

In 1929, she met Emilius, and the couple married. They lived in the Oostakker district with their two children. They were found of travelling, and when Emilius retired, they bought a tent and travelled a great deal.

After her husband passed away in 1995, De Raeve continued to live on her own for five years, then moved in with her daughter. As her eyesight became increasingly worse, she finally settled in Het Heiveld when she was 96.

The oldest Belgian is now Madeleine Dullier, who lives in Mettet in Wallonia. She is 110.

Photo: Fernande De Raeve and city councillor Sofie Bracke on De Raeve’s 110th birthday. ©Steven Vanden Bussche/BELGA