Margaret Romans
Margaret Romans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 16, 1912 (age 113 years, 154 days) |
| Occupation | Art teacher |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse |
Heinrich Romans
(m. 1941; died 2002) |
Margaret Romans (born 16 March 1912) is a Latvian-born Canadian supercentenarian. As of 17 August 2025, she is the oldest living Canadian, since the death of Hazel Skuce on 3 January 2025,[1][2] and the oldest ever Latvian person.
Biography
Margaret Romans was born on March 16, 1912 in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Russian Empire) as Margarita Anna Mežgaile, her mother was of German and Latvian descent, and her father was a Latvian merchant.[3][4] In 1941, she married Heinrich Romans, having arranged a small wedding because of the war and occupation in Latvia.[5]
The couple did not have any children. Not long after the wedding, they were forced to flee from Latvia. They lived in Germany for a couple of years before emigrating to Canada in 1947. Romans worked as an art teacher at YMCA,[6] and her husband was an engineer.[7][8]
In 2002, Romans was widowed and lived independently in Westmount, Quebec, until she was 107, when she moved into the Château Pierrefonds nursing home in Montreal.[9][10]
In 2024, at 112 years old, Margaret could still walk with assistance and also followed current events.[11][12]
On 28 September 2024, the Gerontology Research Group validated her case.[13] On 8 April 2024, after the death of 112 year old Annette Sabourin Brunet, Romans became the oldest living person in Quebec.[14] On 3 January 2025, after the death of 112 year old Hazel Skuce, she became the oldest living Canadian person.[15] Her age was verified by Dr. Wacław Jan Kroczek, Juris Terauds, Oliver Trim, and Dr. Kristine Jarinovska[16].
As of 2025, she lives in Sainte-Geneviève, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[17]
References
- ^ "World Supercentenarian Ranking List". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Margaret Romans". Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Jarinovska, Kristīne Gerontology Research Group https://x.com/jarinovska/status/1893506073203491077
- ^ "Pasaulē vecākā latviete dzima 1912" (in Latvian). Jarinovska, Kristīne Gerontology Research Group. 23 February 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Jarinovska, Kristīne Gerontology Research Group https://x.com/jarinovska/status/1893338222169620631
- ^ "Art workshop at 'Y' opens new courses". Montreal Gazette. 30 January 1953. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Kanādas vecākā iedzīvotāja, rīdziniece Margarita Romana, gatavojas svinēt 113. dzimšanas dienu" (in Latvian). Jauns. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "A Montreal woman has celebrated her 111th birthday. Here are her words of wisdom". Global News. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "1 month shy of her 113th birthday, Canada's oldest person shares some wisdom". Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Montreal woman's advice on 111th birthday? Be curious, be grateful, never hold a grudge". Montreal Gazette. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Margaret Romans - Gerontology Research Group". Retrieved 12 January 2025.
- ^ "Margaret Romans: 111 years young" (PDF). Montreal West Viewspaper. April 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Gerontology Research Group recognizes Margaret Romans of Montreal as the new Doyenne of Canada". Gerontology Research Group. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Canadian Margaret Romans, validated as supercentenarian". LongeviQuest. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Hazel Skuce, doyenne of Canada, dies at 112". Gerontology Research Group. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Margaret Romans of Latvia/Canada, 113th birthday
- ^ "Margaret Romans of Latvia/Canada, 113th birthday". Gerontology Research Group. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.