Cotentin. First centenarian of her village, “Madame” Claval has died

The One who was the first centenarian to whom the town of Saussemesnil (Manche) came to wish a Happy birthday in June 2021Marcelle Claval let herself go early April 2024 at the dawn of its 103 years old. She hated her first name, even her neighbors And friends those closest to her only called her “Madame” Claval.

Her only sonMatthieu, who had retraced the journey of his life in a very factual manner on the occasion of his burialwished on Friday April 26 to bring together his mother’s home around fifteen people, close neighbors or friends, who knew her well during the forty years that Madame Claval spent in Saussemesnil since she was retired in 1982. And it was an opportunity for everyone to reveal amusing details about a very strong personality appreciated by everyone in Saussemesnil.

At her house, it was Christmas every day

At the end of April, the Christmas tree is still in place, unwrapped gifts waiting at its foot and the flashing garlands run on the walls. She loved the Christmas atmosphere: every morning of the year, she listened to a Tino Rossi CD, which served as a point of reference for household helpcame to wash him.

When the CD was finished, I knew I must have finished washing his feet!

“Marcelle was a fan of Tino Rossi, but also loved listening to his favorite hits: Love sicknesssung by Sardou and Make a fire in the fireplace by the Compagnons de la Chanson. A month before his deathI could still hear him humming before I entered the house,” adds Nicole.

Madame Claval wanted to be washed from head to toe every day, “but not the hair, we left that for the hairdresser “.

Angry with stop signs and the Highway Code

Until the age of 95, she traveled the campaignat the wheel of his successive cars , always wearing a beret or a red hat. It’s his red beret sticking out of the window of his last car, a Opel Corsawhite 80 yearswhich will remain his last image for many in the region.

Little respect for Traffic Laws it was the cause of a rustling of sheet metal which made him lose your license after one medical visitwhich had been ordered to him. But, as her son admits: “She still continued to drive a few months after losing her license. Until the day when returning from the grocery store, she said, “Now it’s over!” » »

A good living woman who loved to eat well, drink well, and sing

Very energetic and open to others, loving to party , any opportunity was good to invite your neighbors and friends: Beaujolais Nouveau, galette des rois, your son’s party. Always cheerful, she was never the last to give voice to sing her favorite tunes during the travelOr elders’ meal.

In October 2023, she still participated in the meal of the elders of Saussemesnil and her neighbors remember that she ate well, drank well and sang well. Three days before his last stay at the hospitaleven very tiredshe asked her son if they could go “to a restaurant”.

An “outstanding” centenarian

There has not been a centenarian in the last thirty years in Saussemesnil, and the oldest people are now, it seems, Robert and Alice Mouchel, aged 96 and 94 respectively.

From our correspondent Catherine CHAUMET

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