Dashing and elegant, Jeannine Ortega blew out 100 candles

Jeannine Ortega entourée de son fils, ses nièces, et les élus.

L’Ehpad ? Hors de question pour cette Saint-Césairoise qui a la pêche.

Ce mercredi-là, à Saint-Césaire, le soleil illuminait la maison de Jeannine Ortega (il ne faut pas oublier de mettre deux “n”to her first name because she insists on it) who was celebrating her 100th birthday. Her son Jacques, her nieces Patricia, Jacqueline, Monique, brought together friends from the neighborhood to celebrate the event as well as, representing the City, Catherine Jehanno, councilor delegated to the Elderly, and Richard Tibérino, president of the West neighborhood council.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The dashing centenarian, to say the least, she was so radiant and it was difficult to spot her among the audience, was very happy but also moved to be able to retrace different episodes, happy or unhappy, of her life.

Very elegant, age not seeming to have any hold on her physique and her memory, always standing to chat with her guests, she spoke of the worst moments of her life (her deportation at the age of 19 from 1943 to 1945, or the deaths of her husband and her eldest son) as well as the best: her childhood in Frebécourt in the Vosges where she was born, her adolescence in Neufchâteau, but also the wonderful meeting of Arthur, in 1947, the man of her life with whom she had two children, Robert and Jacques. They lived a happy time in Morocco, then, this country gaining its independence, it was the return to France, to Nancy, where she was a switchboard operator for 20 years. In 1980, she arrived in Saint-Césaire. “We needed a sunny place for our health,” explains Jeannine.

Since then, despite the ups and downs of life, Jeannine, a wonderful example of optimism, has always been able to look at things positively: “I am happy at home, my son comes to see me regularly, my nieces are very close, although far from Nîmes.” Showered with flowers and gifts, she was also presented with the medal of the city of Nîmes by Catherine Jehanno, on behalf of the mayor Jean-Paul Fournier. It seems that nothing was more beautiful for Jeannine who held the medal tight in her hand for a very long time.

During this party, Jeannine's humor also won over everyone, as evidenced by a few witty remarks including this invitation addressed to Catherine Jehanno: “Sit down, please”. Or the response given to a neighbor: “ Don't talk to me about nursing homes, there are old people. I'm in good spirits.” Midi Libre wishes her a happy birthday.

Midi Libre correspondent: 06 87 35 18 06