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Lucile Randon

Lucile Randon (11 February 1904 – 17 January 2023), known as Sister André, was a supercentenarian and Roman Catholic nun who was recognized as the world's oldest verified living person from April 2022 until her death at the age of 118 years and 340 days. Born in the southern town of to a Protestant family, Randon converted to Catholicism in her youth and worked as a and tutor before joining the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1944 at the age of 40, adopting her religious name. Throughout her life, she endured major historical events, including the 1918 pandemic, , and , and later survived a outbreak at her in 2021 without severe symptoms. Randon resided in various s from 1979 onward, spending her final decades at the EHPAD Sainte-Anne in , where she remained active in her faith, enjoying simple pleasures like and wine while offering spiritual guidance to residents. Her longevity and serene demeanor made her a symbol of , drawing global attention and interviews in her later years.

Early life

Birth and family

Lucile Randon was born on 11 February 1904 in Alès, Gard, Occitanie, France, to parents Paul Randon (17 June 1866 – 27 April 1938) and Alphonsine Delphine Yéta Soutoul (27 March 1869 – 21 August 1936). She was born as part of a set of twins with her sister Lydie Randon (11 February 1904 – 4 August 1905), who died at the age of 17 months from illness. As an infant, Lucile herself nearly died from a similar condition but made a full recovery, defying her doctor's prognosis that she would not survive. The family also included three older brothers, among them (22 April 1892 – 7 September 1971) and (12 April 1895 – 15 July 1972); and served in and returned to in 1918, with one seriously injured. The Randons were a Protestant family of modest means—her paternal grandfather had been a —and resided in , an industrial town in centered around and during the early 20th century.

Childhood and youth

Lucile Randon was raised in , a coal-mining town in the department of , during the pre-World War I era, a time of relative stability in the but with underlying social and economic tensions in industrial regions like the . Born into a non-practicing Protestant family, she experienced a modest daily life shaped by local community ties and the town's Protestant heritage, growing up as the youngest child and only surviving daughter among three older brothers. The early death of her twin , Lydie, from illness at 17 months old in 1905 deeply impacted Randon's family dynamics, leaving her as the sole girl in the household and fostering a close bond with her brothers while instilling an early awareness of loss that influenced her worldview. This tragedy occurred amid the family's routine existence in , where local influences such as the mining community's resilience and Protestant values contributed to her formative sense of family solidarity. As raged from 1914 to 1918, Randon, then aged 10 to 14, endured the emotional strain on her household as two of her brothers served on the front lines, with the family facing uncertainty and the broader national grief of the conflict. The war's toll was evident in the brothers' experiences, including injuries, but their return in 1918— one arriving in the middle of the night—brought profound joy and relief, a moment Randon described as one of the greatest happinesses of her life despite the lingering hardships. Entering young adulthood around 1922–1923 at ages 18–19, Randon began exploring paths toward independence in post-war , reflecting on her upbringing's lessons of resilience and family duty as she considered her future role in the world.

Professional and religious career

Early career as governess

Lucile Randon entered the workforce in the early , shortly after completing her education, taking up roles as a teacher and to secure at a time when opportunities for women were limited. Her initial positions involved caring for and educating children from affluent households in , including a brief stint in around 1916–1920, though records of this early phase are limited. By the mid-1920s, she relocated to Versailles, where she was employed by the prominent family, founders of the French automobile manufacturer, serving as both and private tutor to their young children from approximately 1928 to 1930. In her roles with the Peugeot family and subsequent employers, Randon's daily responsibilities centered on fostering the intellectual and personal development of her charges, typically aged 5 to 12. This included delivering lessons in core subjects such as reading, arithmetic, , and languages, often tailored to the family's expectations of refinement and cultural exposure. She also managed practical aspects of child-rearing, such as organizing meals, outings, and bedtime routines, while instilling values of discipline and kindness in the opulent environments of Versailles estates. Later, she took similar positions with other notable families, including the Borionne family, moving between and the rural region in the 1930s, where her work adapted to more varied settings amid the economic challenges of the . These experiences honed her skills in nurturing young minds and provided a stable livelihood during her twenties and thirties. This early professional phase, spanning roughly from age 20 to 40 until 1944, marked a period of personal fulfillment for Randon, as she later shared in interviews. She expressed particular satisfaction in the intimate bonds formed with the children under her care, describing the work as deeply rewarding despite its demands. In one reflection, she noted that tending to the needs of wealthy families' offspring brought her unparalleled joy, highlighting her innate affinity for child-rearing roles that echoed influences from her own youth. These years not only built her resilience but also underscored her commitment to education as a pathway for positive impact.

Religious conversion and vows

Born into a Protestant family in , , Lucile Randon converted to Catholicism at the age of 19 in 1923. Her family's cessation of religious practice, influenced by her strict pastor grandfather, had left her spiritually troubled during her youth, prompting her personal exploration of faith. She later described this period as one of gradual progression: "I gradually progressed, following my Catholic faith." Although some accounts note her formal occurring at age 26, her marked a pivotal shift from her Protestant upbringing toward a deepening commitment to Catholicism. Two decades later, at age 40, Randon felt a calling to deepen her devotion further, deciding in 1944 to enter religious life despite the ongoing turmoil of . Driven by a desire to "go further" in her spiritual journey, she joined the Daughters of Charity of de Paul, an order focused on serving the poor and vulnerable. Upon admission, she adopted the Sister André, in honor of her late brother. The ceremony for her vows took place that same year, amid the Allied invasion of Normandy and the from Nazi occupation, reflecting the precarious wartime conditions that tested the resilience of religious communities. As a new member, Sister André began adjusting to the disciplined rhythm of life, including communal , simplicity, and , while drawing on her prior experience in caregiving to ease her transition into the order's initial expectations. This period represented a profound pivot, aligning her personal faith with a vowed commitment to charitable service.

Service as a nun

Following her entry into the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1944, Sister André dedicated herself to the order's mission of serving the poor and marginalized, beginning with her novitiate in Paris where she prepared for active ministry. Upon professing her vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and service to the poor—renewed annually in the tradition of the Daughters of Charity—she embraced a life structured around communal prayer, simplicity, and direct aid to those in need, which defined her daily routine of rising early for liturgy, shared meals, and outreach efforts. After , she was assigned to a in , where she worked for approximately 28-31 years caring for orphans and the elderly, contributing to community recovery efforts. Drawing from her earlier experience as a and , Sister André assumed roles in education and caregiving during the late and , providing instruction and support to children in vulnerable situations while assisting in broader community welfare initiatives across . Over the first few decades of her service through the , she exemplified unwavering fidelity to her vows, integrating personal devotion—such as daily and trust in —into her practical labors, which sustained her commitment amid postwar hardships. André's over 75 years in the order underscored a lifelong embodiment of Vincentian , prioritizing and in every aspect of her .

Later years

Work with orphans and elderly

Following the end of , Sister André was assigned to a in , where she dedicated 28 years, from approximately 1945 to 1973, to caring for orphans, war-displaced children, and the elderly. In this role, she managed daily operations at the facility, responding to the urgent post-war needs of vulnerable populations amid widespread and . Her work focused on providing essential care, shelter, and emotional support to children who were either orphaned or temporarily placed by parents unable to feed them due to economic hardship. Sister André's routines in involved hands-on assistance with the children's upbringing, including organizing group activities to foster a sense of community and normalcy for the approximately 40 orphans under her care. She balanced this with support for elderly residents, offering companionship and practical aid in their daily lives. Her approach emphasized compassion and structure, helping the children navigate from the while ensuring the elderly received dignified attention in a challenging era. In the 1970s, Sister André transitioned to a in Les Marches, Savoie, where she spent the next 30 years, until around 2009, continuing her service to the elderly. There, she assisted residents with daily living activities, such as personal care and mobility support, while providing spiritual guidance through prayer and conversations that reinforced their . Even as she aged, she remained active in these duties until her early 100s, embodying her commitment to service. The impact of Sister André's work was profound and enduring; many of the children she nurtured in later sought her out as adults to express , illustrating how her care shaped their lives and fulfilled her religious calling. In , her presence offered solace to elderly residents, promoting emotional through consistent, faith-based support that she described as a joyful extension of her vows.

Retirement and residence in Toulon

In 2009, at the age of 105, Sister André relocated to the EHPAD Sainte-Catherine-Labouré in Toulon. This marked her full retirement from professional duties, though she continued to embody the spirit of service central to her vocation as a Daughter of Charity. At the EHPAD, Sister André adapted to lighter responsibilities, including greeting visitors, sharing anecdotes from her long life, and engaging in communal prayers that strengthened bonds among residents and staff. Her daily routine revolved around spiritual practices, such as attending morning Mass and reciting prayers for fellow residents, particularly those feeling isolated or in need of support. She also incorporated small, joyful habits like sipping a glass of red wine at lunch, enjoying a square of chocolate later in the day, and keeping her radio tuned to broadcasts of news and classical music, which helped maintain her curiosity and connection to current events through the 2010s. These elements reflected her belief that retirement was merely a new form of contributing to others through presence and positivity. Sister André often described this period as a seamless extension of her lifelong dedication to , where informal interactions during meals or afternoon gatherings allowed her to offer encouragement and listen attentively to those around her. Her room, simply furnished with a of the Virgin Mary and her ever-on radio, became a welcoming space for brief visits, underscoring her role as a source of quiet inspiration in the home's daily rhythm. Through these activities, she sustained a sense of purpose, emphasizing in interviews that true service persisted regardless of age or physical limitations.

Health and longevity

Major health events and challenges

In her infancy, Lucile Randon and her twin sister Lydie contracted a severe illness that proved fatal to Lydie, who died at 17 months old on August 4, 1905; Randon, however, recovered fully from the condition. During her childhood, Randon navigated the 1918 pandemic without becoming infected, a resilience that contrasted with the death of her brother from the disease, which claimed an estimated 50 million lives worldwide. She exhibited enduring physical fortitude by enduring both and without incurring significant injuries, despite the widespread devastation in . At age 91 in 1995, Randon experienced a heart attack that required surgical intervention on her to address vascular complications; following a period of , she regained her strength and resumed her daily activities. By 2019, Randon faced advancing age-related impairments, including complete blindness, partial deafness, and the necessity of use, which curtailed her ability to move independently and perform routine tasks without assistance, though she maintained cognitive sharpness and emotional engagement. These challenges marked a gradual decline in physical autonomy but underscored her overall resistance to more debilitating age-related conditions throughout her long life.

Recognition as supercentenarian and COVID-19 survival

On 19 April 2022, following the death of Japan's , Lucile Randon became the world's oldest verified living person at the age of 118 years and 67 days. She had previously held the title of the oldest living since 2019. In January 2021, at age 116, Randon survived a outbreak at her in , , where she tested positive on 16 January but experienced no symptoms and recovered within three weeks; tragically, 10 other residents died in the incident. She became the oldest verified survivor of the virus, later stating in an that she was not afraid of dying. Randon's age was validated by the (GRG), which ranked her as the fourth-oldest verified person in history upon her death at 118 years and 340 days. Her remarkable drew significant , with Randon sharing in interviews that her secrets to a long life included strong faith, daily consumption of , and occasional wine.

Death and legacy

Circumstances of death

Lucile Randon, known as Sister André, passed away peacefully in her sleep from natural causes at approximately 2 a.m. on 17 January 2023, at the EHPAD Sainte-Catherine Labouré retirement home in Toulon, Var department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France. She had been the world's oldest verified living person since April 2022, at the age of 118 years and 340 days at the time of her death. In her final days, Randon remained in a serene state without any reported illness, aligning with her expressed wish during interviews around her 118th birthday in February 2022 to "die soon" after reaching that milestone. The retirement home's spokesperson, David Tavella, noted the profound sadness among staff and residents but emphasized that her death fulfilled her long-held desire for a quiet end. Following her death, the promptly notified her members and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, the she had served since 1944. officially confirmed her age and status shortly thereafter, closing the record she had held since April 2022.

Impact and remembrance

Following her death on January 17, 2023, Lucile Randon, known as Sister André, held the title of the world's oldest living person until it passed to Maria Branyas Morera shortly thereafter. She was the second-oldest French person and the second-oldest European person ever recorded. Her passing garnered widespread international media attention, with outlets such as NPR, BBC, and The Guardian highlighting her extraordinary lifespan, her survival of multiple pandemics including COVID-19, and her embodiment of resilience amid global upheavals like the two World Wars. This coverage underscored her status as the fourth-oldest verified person in history and the oldest confirmed COVID-19 survivor, cementing her place in records maintained by organizations like Guinness World Records and the Gerontology Research Group. Within the Catholic Church and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul— the order she joined in 1944—Sister André's legacy endures as a symbol of unwavering faith and service, inspiring discussions on how religious devotion contributes to longevity. Catholic publications, including America Magazine and the National Catholic Register, portrayed her life as a testament to spiritual endurance, noting how her daily prayer and charitable work exemplified the order's mission to aid the poor and vulnerable. Her story has fueled faith-based explorations of exceptional age, with researchers observing higher longevity rates among nuns, attributing it partly to communal support, purposeful living, and stress-reducing spiritual practices. Sister André's cultural impact extends through her poignant reflections on life and mortality, such as her belief that "Perhaps wanted me to live the days of my sister," referring to her twin who died young, suggesting divine purpose in her prolonged existence. These sentiments, shared in interviews, have resonated in popular and academic contexts, positioning her narrative within studies that examine factors like , , and for extreme . Her example is frequently cited in analyses of verified s, illustrating how active engagement and —hallmarks of her routine—correlate with surpassing 110 years. Details of her funeral remain private, but as a member of the Daughters of Charity, it likely included a religious service in , where she resided in her final years; her burial site is not publicly documented.

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