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The city of Sena Madureira is home to a rare and impressive history. A resident of the Pista neighborhood, Maria Justina da Silva reached the age of 115, being considered one of the oldest people alive in the world. Born on September 15, 1910, she went through more than a century of social, cultural and historical changes in Brazil.
Even with the limitations imposed by time, such as the loss of vision, the elderly woman maintains her lucidity and surprises with her disposition within her daily routine | Photo: ContilNet
Born in the municipality of Baturité, in Ceará, Maria Justina arrived in Acre when she was still young, brought by her father. In the State, he built his life path, initially in the rural area, where he lived for several years, until finally settling in the urban area of Sena Madureira. Even with the limitations imposed by time, such as the loss of vision, the elderly woman maintains her lucidity and surprises with her disposition within her daily routine. She is able to get up on her own, eat regularly and spend part of the day sitting in the living room before returning to her room to rest.
Care is provided by the family, mainly by her daughter Raimunda Nonata da Silva, aged 67, and her daughter-in-law Jozineide, who closely monitor the elderly woman’s routine. For the daughter, taking care of her mother is a commitment made out of affection and gratitude, reinforcing the family bond built over the decades.
Simple eating is part of Dona Maria Justina’s daily life. Broths, fruits and light meals are some of the favorite foods, contributing to your well-being. According to family members, these habits reflect a peaceful lifestyle, maintained even after so many years. Mother of five children, Maria Justina has far exceeded the average life expectancy of Brazilians, which is currently 76.6 years, according to IBGE data. Her story puts Sena Madureira in the spotlight when it comes to extreme longevity.
In Brazil, the living person is the nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, 116 years old. Still, Maria Justina da Silva’s trajectory reinforces that extraordinary stories are also part of everyday life in small towns in the interior of the country.
