Kunjannam of Parannur in Kerala’s Thrissur district, the oldest woman in the country, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 112 at a private hospital near Thrissur. The limca Book of Records had recognised Kunjannam, a spinster, as the oldest woman in India last year.
Kunjannam alias Rosa, was born in 1903 as the 11th child of Vazhappilly Anthony and Achunni of Parannur near Choondal in Thrissur district. Her name was included in the limca Book of Records after relatives produced records showing that her baptism was performed on May 20, 1903 by the vicar of Our lady of Rosary Church at Eranellur near Parannur.
Kunjannam was not well for some days and was unable to take food since Monday morning following which she was admitted to the hospital on Monday night. Efforts to save her through intravenous feeding did not prove successful. The death came just when relatives and well-wishers were planning a major celebration of her birthday on May 20.
She decided to remain a spinster after both her parents died in a gap of 40 days when she was young. She was living with Jose, son of her brother Kochappu, and his wife Elsy at their small house in Parannur. It was the children of Jose who had taken the initiative to get her name entered into the limca Book. She was also the oldest unmarried woman in India.
Despite her advanced age, Kunjannam had not been taking any medicine and almost all faculties including vision, hearing, speech and memory were fairly intact till a few days ago. Being a member of a poor family, Kunjannam had worked as house maid with a nearby Hindu family for almost 50 years.
Relatives said she used to say that vegetarian food and regular work and walk were the secrets of her health. Though she used to feel lonely sometimes as all her ten siblings had died, neighbours said she was generally cheerful. They said her greatest wish was not to become a burden to others ever in her life. last rites would be performed on Wednesday.