Manresa, in Central Catalonia, hosted an event on Sunday to honour its centenarian residents, including Carme Noguera, who at 111 is the oldest woman in Catalonia and Spain. The gathering took place at the Manresa Water and Textile Museum.
Of the sixty centenarians living in Manresa, only about fifteen attended the tribute. Noguera, born in Olot on 22 August 1914, was a notable presence. During the celebratory lunch, her remarkable life and career were highlighted, including her role as one of the first nurses trained at a Generalitat school.
Noguera worked at Hospital Clínic before returning to Olot. She later moved to Vic with her husband, with whom she had three children. She currently lives in Taradell with her daughter, Dolors Solà, and volunteers as a language partner for newcomers aged between 95 and 100.
A Favourite Pastime Revealed
During the lunch, Noguera revealed a favourite pastime she can no longer enjoy. Carme Carrió, president of the Escodines Neighbours' Association and author of the book Conversations with Centenarian Women: A Portrait of Longevity (2024), paraphrased Noguera's words. Noguera reportedly said: "What I liked most was going with my friends to have a beer and smoke some cigarettes."
Noguera became the oldest woman in Catalonia and Spain a few months ago, following the death of Angelina Torres. Torres passed away last November at the age of 112 years and eight months. Born in Bellvís, Pla d'Urgell, in 1913, Torres was the last Catalan person born before the First World War. Her mother was a housewife from Montblanc, and her father, a barber from Fondarella, died in a cart accident when she was a child.
Notable Catalan Centenarians
Olot, Noguera's birthplace, was also home to Maria Branyas, who died at 117. Branyas was born in San Francisco in 1907 to a Catalan family. Her father was a journalist from Pamplona, and her mother was from Barcelona. She arrived in Catalonia as a young child, and her memories stretched back to the First World War and the Spanish Civil War, according to a 2019 interview with Catalan News.
Looking ahead, the recognition of centenarians like Carme Noguera helps to preserve personal histories and offers insights into longevity in Catalonia. These events also highlight the contributions of older residents to their communities.
