| Gabrielle Melard | |
 Mélard on her 109th birthday | |
| Birth: | 31 July 1909 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Brussels), Belgium |
| Death: | 25 June 2020 Anderlecht (Brussels), Belgium |
| Age: | 110 years, 330 days |
| Country: |  BEL
|
| Validated | |
Gabrielle Georgette Edmie Jacqueline Josephine Melard (31 July 1909 – 25 June 2020) was a Belgian supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).
Biography
Melard was born in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, on 31 July 1909. She was born as the daughter of Michel Melard, an antique dealer from Wonck, and his wife Augusta Toussaint, a tailor from Brussels. Her father soon abandoned the family, so Mélard hardly knew him. During the First World War she moved to Liege where she was raised by her uncle and aunt. She continued to live there until they passed away. Mélard subsequently continued to live in Liege, she worked as a clerk but later became a nurse. She never married.
Until her old age, she kept visiting her family in Brussels by public transport. At the age of 94, she moved into a retirement home in Auderghem to be closer to her family. Since she always led an independent life, in the beginning she had some adjustment problems in the retirement home. She was mainly concerned with reading and watching television and according to the nursing staff, she always had a good appetite, with a preference for desserts.
At the age of 107, she suffered a severe out of pneumonia, but recovered. She gradually became blind and deaf, making communication difficult. In July 2019, she celebrated her 110th birthday. It was the first time Belgium had 5 living supercentenarians at the same time.
Mélard died on 25 June 2020 in Anderlecht, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium at the age of 110 years, 330 days.
References
- 2024 validations Gerontology Research Group
- Gabrielle Mélard (1909-) Belgische eeuwelingen - Centenaires belges
- Oudergemse blaast 110 kaarsjes uit BRUZZ, 31 July 2019
- Oudste inwoonster van Brussel overleden op 110-jarige leeftijd BRUZZ, 29 June 2020