UNITED KINGDOM. London: Sister André, born Lucile Randon, is Europe’s oldest known person. The French nun tested positive to Covid-19 just a few weeks before her 117th birthday as the virus hit the Sainte- Catherine Labouré home, near Toulon, where she lives. In the nursing home, 81 of the 88 residents contracted the virus, and sadly 10 died, as reported by The Guardian.
David Tavella, communications director at Sainte- Catherine Labouré nursing home, told the CNN that Sister André showed no symptoms.
The nun, who is blind and needs a wheelchair, has fully recovered after three weeks and will celebrate her birthday on Thursday.
“I didn’t even realise I had it”
In an interview with French local newspaper Var-Matin, Sister André said: “I didn’t even realise I had it.”
David Tavella also told the newspaper that the nun had shown no fear of the virus and was more worried about her routine; for instance, if the meals and bedtime were going to change. Mr Tavella also said that she was more worried about the other residents.
Interviewed by France’s BFM television she said: “No, I wasn’t scared because I wasn’t scared to die … I’m happy to be with you, but I would wish to be somewhere else – join my big brother and my grandfather and my grandmother.” The Guardian reports.
Birthday Celebrations
Lucile Randon was born on 11 February 1904, and this makes her Europe’s oldest person and the world’s second-oldest living person, after Japanese Kane Tanaka, who turned 118 earlier this year.
Thus, André will celebrate her 117th birthday on Thursday. According to the CNN, she will celebrate with foie gras, baked Alaska and a glass of red wine, and she will take part in a video Mass.
