The world's oldest person, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun, has sadly passed away at the remarkable age of 116. Born in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on 8 June 1908, Sister Inah devoted her life to her faith, joining the Catholic Church as a nun in her early twenties.
Her family has shared that she always commemorated her birthdays with a cake shaped like the stadium of her beloved football team, Sport Club Internacional. Throughout her life, she credited her longevity to her faith, famously stating, “God is the secret to life.” Following her passing, the title of the oldest living person has transitioned to 115-year-old Ethel Caterham from Surrey, England.
Sister Inah marked her 116th birthday proudly wearing her team's scarf and had a passion for collecting memorabilia, including shirts and pillows adorned with Internacional’s logo. In a heartfelt message, Sport Club Internacional expressed their condolences, mourning her loss and honoring her life characterized by love, faith, and kindness.
Managing good health for most of her life, Sister Inah recently experienced a natural decline. Her nephew relayed that she passed away peacefully at the Teresian Sisters' home in Porto Alegre, where she had lived for many years. A fellow nun, Sister Rita, noted that Sister Inah maintained a strict daily routine, enjoying scheduled meals, prayers, and rest.
In January, she became recognized as the world’s oldest person following the death of the previous holder, Tomiko Itooka, aged 116. Sister Inah’s dedication to lifelong learning began at a religious boarding school at 16. After taking her vows, she briefly lived in Montevideo before returning to Brazil in 1930, where she contributed to education as a Portuguese and math teacher.
According to Sister Rita, Sister Inah's longevity can be attributed to her disciplined work ethic and sociable nature, leading a life filled with gratitude and love.
