It is Mrs. Luigia De Palo, Santucci’s widow, the new centenarian from Livorno. Very satisfied with the floral tribute sent to her by the municipal administration on behalf of the city, she blew out the hundred candles in the company of her daughters Paola and Adriana, her son Emilio and her granddaughters Lara, Serena and Isabel.
Grandma Luigia was born on 9 May 1924 in Cerignola, in Puglia, then following her railway worker father her family moved to Fiume, in Istria, and finally, shortly before the war broke out, to Livorno.
She worked first as a shop assistant and then as a switchboard operator at the station, much appreciated for her pleasant voice and kindness.
Widowed at a young age, she worked hard to support her family. The secret to her longevity? Perhaps the cooking method that she invented, which invariably starts from a base of water and garlic, sometimes even sage, to which the other ingredients are added during cooking. And a spoonful of honey every morning for breakfast.
Grandma Luigia is very keen on keeping herself informed, every day she watches at least six news programs and promptly updates her family on everything that happens in the world.
Source: Municipality of Livorno
