| Josefina Blas | |
 | |
| Birth: | 9 May 1915 Guam |
| Death: | 24 June 2020 Talofofo, Guam |
| Age: | 105 years, 46 days |
| Country: |  GUM, USA
|
| Centenarian | |
Josefina Dorotea Mendiola Yamanaka Blas (9 May 1915 – 24 June 2020) was a Guamanian centenarian who is the oldest known woman ever from Guam.
Biography[]
Josefina was born in the village of Agat in the United States territory of Guam, on 9 May 1915. Her parents were Kioshi Diego Yamanaka and Catalina Mendiola Yamanaka. Josefina attended the College of Guam; and although she was unable to obtain a degree, she was an Educator for thirty-four years, teaching children in the 1st grade. She also worked as a salesclerk at Butler's Emporium. Her husband died in 1974.
On 7 June 1941, she married Mariano Mafnas Blas. They had nine children: Joseph Anthony, David Marion, Edward Richard, Peter John, Henry Vincent, Raymond Frankie, Catherine Rose Santos, Mary Doris Pablo and Thomas James. She is a devoted member of the San Miguel Catholic Church parish and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers in Talofofo. Blas and her granddaughter, Liza Mary Blas Matanane, did a documentary to tell of her experiences during World War II.
On 24 May 2018, local centenarians were celebrated at a Senior Citizens Month celebration on at an event organized by the Department of Public Health and Social Services Division of Senior Citizens. Besides Josefina Blas (aged 103 at that time), centenarians at event were Hae Im Yu Shim (aged 101) and Paz Mendiola Sablan (aged 100). On her 104th birthday in 2019, she was honored as Centenarian of the 2019 Senior Citizens Month. At that time, she had 43 grandchildren and 96 great-grandchildren.
Blas died in the village of Talofofo, Guam on 24 June 2020 at the age of 105 years, 46 days.
References[]
- 33rd Res. LOG Guam Legislature, 29 April 2015
- 'One day at a time' Guam Daily Post, 27 May 2018
- Love, faith, active lifestyle: Meet some of Guam's most senior citizens aged 101 to 104 Guam Pacific Daily News, 9 May 2019
- Blas celebrates 105th birthday Guam Daily Post, 11 May 2020
- Blas, Guam's oldest centenarian, dies at 105 years old The Guam Daily Post, 10 July 2020
| Guam's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Martin Mellian Oliva • Rita Perez Aflleje • Tomasa Tenorio • Maria Santos Cruz • Cresencia Lujan Acfalle • Rita Toves Duenas • Maria Cruz Perez • Felicita Torre Munoz • Monico de Guia Angeles • Eleuteria D. Carpela • Florentina M. Guarin • Magdalena Blas Lizama • Maria Naputi Mantanona • Preciosa Castro • Olivia Arroyo • Irene Laygo • Rita Calvo Artero • Joaquina Roberto • Maura Robeniol • Josefina Blas • Paz Mendiola Sablan • Yuk Lan Moylan • Felecisema Montalban • Rosario Flores Leon Guerrero |