Elle est décédée à 107 ans Rosalbina Bautista: elle était l'une des femmes les plus âgées de Colombie, elle a survécu à deux pandémies et a laissé plus de 200 descendants

Rosalbina Bautista died at the age of 107 in Arcabuco, Boyacá, becoming one of the longest-living women in Colombia. She survived two major pandemics and left behind more than 200 descendants. The funeral took place in the municipality of Arcabuco, drawing hundreds of family members, neighbors, and friends who attended a large ceremony to bid farewell to the woman known affectionately as “doña Rosita.” Born on December 31, 1918, in the neighboring municipality of San José de Pare, she was brought to Arcabuco as a child and spent her entire life there. The funeral of Mrs. Rosalbina Bautista will be remembered in the municipality of Arcabuco not only because, at 107 years old, she was the oldest person in the area, but also due to the numerous family members who gathered to say their final goodbye. Among them were over 217 relatives, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, many of whom traveled from Tunja to attend the service at the local church. This large family, known as the Bautistas, had become a symbol of continuity and resilience through generations. Mrs. Bautista married José Bautista, a farmer like herself, with whom she had 14 biological children. They also adopted three additional children, resulting in 57 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Each year, the family made an effort to gather at their farm in the settlement of Rupavita, located about half an hour from the town center of Arcabuco, to celebrate New Year’s and birthdays. Despite the logistical challenges of such a gathering, the tradition continued, reinforcing the deep bonds within the extended family. Fabio Saavedra, a relative of the Bautista family, described the lifestyle of the family during its early years. He noted that the farm was self-sufficient, producing vegetables, fruits, grains, and tubers. The couple also raised cattle and sheep, and José constructed fish breeding pools along two rivers that ran alongside the property. These resources ensured daily sustenance, while hunting small animals like rabbits and wild boars added variety to their diet. The farm, surrounded by forest, became both a home and a sanctuary for the family. According to family accounts, Rosalbina’s early life was marked by hardship. She was born during the devastating Spanish flu pandemic of 1918–1919, which claimed millions of lives worldwide and particularly affected regions like Boyacá, where deaths were recorded in the hundreds. Many believed the young Rosalbina would not survive, yet she defied the odds and lived well beyond the crisis. Her longevity was further tested by subsequent outbreaks, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, during which she lost several close acquaintances, including the orthopedic doctor Forero, who had performed surgery on her after a hip fracture at the age of 100. One of her daughters, Rosa, shared memories of her mother’s later years. Despite mobility issues and aging-related ailments, Rosalbina remained sharp-minded and cheerful. She retained all five of her senses, though some physical discomforts eventually caught up with her. Rosa described her mother’s passing as peaceful, noting that she died content and fulfilled, having lived a life filled with purpose and love. In recognition of her remarkable life and legacy, the Municipal Council of Arcabuco issued a decree of mourning, acknowledging her as an inspiration to four generations. It also highlighted her status as the oldest resident of the municipality and possibly the oldest person in the department of Boyacá. The decree echoed sentiments expressed by her family, who saw her as a living testament to strength, endurance, and familial unity. Her death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of Arcabuco, leaving behind a rich heritage and a family whose story continues to inspire.