COVID-19 defying nun toasts 117th birthday with wine and prayer
What's the story
A French nun, who is believed to be the world's second-oldest person, celebrated her 117th birthday in style on Thursday, with multiple treats, well-wishes, cards, and flowers to fete her exceptional longevity through two world wars and a recent coronavirus infection. Sister Andr also got a Mass in her honor and a feast with champagne, red wine, and port.
Festivities
I met all those I love: Sister Andr
Then came a nap followed by more festivities, including an afternoon snack of baked Alaska, her favorite dessert. "It made me very, very, very, very happy," the birthday girl said. "Because I met all those I love and I thank the heavens for giving them to me. I thank God for the trouble they went through," she said.
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Started day with video calls with great-nephews and great-great nephews
"Sister Andr's birthday got rolling with morning video calls with her great-nephews and great-great nephews, followed by a Mass led by the local Catholic bishop," said David Tavella, the Communications Manager for the care home in the southern French city of Toulon where she lives.
Birthday feast
Red wine is one of her secrets of longevity: Tavella
"Her birthday feast included a starter of foie gras, followed by capon with fragrant mushrooms. All of it washed down with red wine because she drinks red wine. It's one of her secrets of longevity," Tavella told The Associated Press. "There was also port and champagne because 117 years have to be toasted," he said.
Birthday
Dessert served with three candles and numerals 117 on top
She skipped dessert because she was tired, but was served later after a nap with three candles and numerals 117 on top. Packing on 117 candles would have been impossible. "We stopped trying a long time ago. Even if we made big cakes, I'm not sure that she would have enough breath to blow them all. You would need a fire extinguisher," Tavella said.
Information
Andr is the second-oldest known living person in the world
Sister Andr's birth name is Lucile Randon. The Gerontology Research Group, which validates details of people thought to be 110 or older, lists her as the second-oldest known living person in the world, behind only a 118-year-old woman in Japan, Kane Tanaka.
COVID-19
Sister Andr tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-January
Tavella told French media earlier this week that Sister Andr tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-January but she had so few symptoms that she didn't realize she was infected. Her survival made headlines both in France and beyond. When Tavella talked to her on Thursday about celebrating her next birthday in 2022, she replied, "I won't be here next year."
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Her story gave a bit of hope to the world
"When the whole world suddenly started talking about this story, I understood that Sister Andr was like an Olympic flame on a round-the-world tour that people want to grab hold of because we all need a bit of hope at the moment," Tavella said.
Birthday celebration
Incidentally, Tavella also celebrated his birthday on Thursday
By a strange coincidence, Tavella celebrated his 43rd birthday on Thursday. "We often joke that she and I were born on the same day. I never tell myself that she is 117 because she is so easy to talk to regardless of age. It is only when she talks about World War I, I realize, yes, she did live through it!" he said.