| Gunnel Stenback | |
 Gunnel Stenback on her 100th birthday in 2014. | |
| Birth: | 21 September 1914 Lumparland, Åland Islands, Russian Empire (now Finland) |
| Death: | 30 Nov 2024 Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland |
| Age: | 110 years,70 days |
| Country: |  ALA, FINFIN
|
| Validated | |
Gunnel Margareta Stenback [Swedish: Gunnel Stenbäck] (21 September 1914 - 30 November 2024) was a Finnish supercentenarian who was the oldest living person in Finland. Her age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).
Biography[]
Gunnel Stenbäck was born in Lumparland, Åland Islands, Russian Empire (now Finland) on 21 September 1914 to parents Paul Sivard Stenbäck (1880–1965) and Hulda Cecilia Sofia Isaksson (1888–1953). She graduated from Kotka Lyceum High School in 1933. That same summer, during a Christian summer gathering in Kokkola, she discovered her life mission and calling. She received an invitation to apply to the Deaconess Institute, and the following year, she began her studies at the Helsinki Deaconess Institute’s Nursing School.
In 1943, she was ordained as a deaconess and served in that role for about ten years with the Swedish-speaking congregation of Sörnäinen.
In 1956, Sister Gunnel was appointed head nurse at Rinnekoti, an institution for individuals with intellectual disabilities run by the Deaconess Institute. During the following decade, she pursued social policy studies at the University of Helsinki, earning her licentiate degree in political science in 1969. That same year, she was named Principal of Helsinki Diakonia College, the very school where she had begun her studies in 1934, though the school had undergone several name changes. A few years later, she was appointed director of the Deaconess Institute, a position she held until her retirement at the end of 1977.
On 13 January 2023, following the death of 110-year-old Sirkka Nieminen, she became the oldest living person in Uusimaa.
On 12 June 2024, following the passing of 110-year-old Helvi Kissala, she became the oldest living person in Finland.
On 21 September 2024, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian.
On 16 October 2024, following the passing of 112-year-old Gunborg Hancock of Sweden, she became the oldest living Finnish-born person.
Gunnel Stenback died on 30 November 2024 in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland at the age of 110 years, 70 days.
Gallery[]
References[]
- GRG World Supercentenarian Rankings List Gerontology Research Group
- Gunnel Margareta Stenbäck Geneanet
- 100th birthday mention Diakonissalaitos on Facebook, 20 September 2014
- Sadan vuoden matka Sydänliitto, 12 December 2017
- Nikolaista Niinistöön – sisar Gunnelin elämänkaari on ollut pitkä ja monipuolinen STT Info, 21 September 2022
- Suomen todennäköisesti vanhin ihminen täyttää 110 vuotta – syntymäpäiville ilmestyi yllättävä vieras Ilta-Sanomat, 20 September 2024
- Suomen vanhin henkilö sisar Gunnel täyttää tänään 110 vuotta – teki elämänsä suuren valinnan vuonna 1959 MTV Uutiset, 21 September 2024
- Gunnel Stenbäck, Finland’s oldest living person, celebrated her 110th birthday Gerontology Research Group, 21 September 2024
| Finland's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Eva Enström • Isak Smedberg • Hedvig Sateri • Anders Lindholm • Maria Holmberg • Maria Ahonen • Leena Lindqvist • Kajsa Fellman • Sofie Törnudd • Maria Koskinen • Fredrika Männistö • Erkki Helminen • Heikki Kämäräinen • Alexander von Stahl • Olivia Rosvall • Greta Helin • Kajsa Stina Forsström • Eva Blomqvist • Maria Pekuri • Emma Heikkilä • Ines Achren • Olga Toivonen • Elina Peurala • Aleksandra Lindroos • Elisabeth Rantamaki • Liisa Strellman • Amalia Wallenius • Ida Saarinen • Maria Valimaki • Maria Kumlander • Amanda Riihela • Mathilda Honka • Fanny Nystrom • Ida Virenius • Klaara Tyyniaho • Amanda Moksi • Kalle Nestor Launisto • Maria Rothovius • Daisy Göhle • Sigrid Viik • Hilda Hakkinen • Anna Hagman • Elsa Tilkanen • Aarne Arvonen • Viljo Kekola • Jussi Leskinen • Aino Yrttimaa • Selma Tuominen • Helvi Karki • Helfrid Eriksson • Saara Ahonen • Helvi Harma • Astrid Qvist • Sirkka Nieminen • Helvi Kissala • Gunnel Stenback • Arvi Hämäläinen |