Remembering the life of Catherina van der Linden, Australia's oldest person
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Australia has bid farewell to one of its most remarkable residents, Catherina van der Linden, who passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024, at the venerable age of 111.
The aged care facility in Adelaide, South Australia (SA), where she spent her final years, confirmed the news of her passing.
In a statement, the facility said: ‘Catherina, who was Australia’s oldest person, gently went into the night at West Beach Residential Care on Australia Day surrounded by her loving family and supported by our compassionate staff.’
Born in the Netherlands in 1912, Ms van der Linden embarked on a life-changing journey in 1955, migrating to Australia with her young family.
Not only was she Australia's oldest person, but she also held the distinction of being the oldest Dutch person in the world.
Ms van der Linden's life was a testament to resilience and adaptability. She navigated multiple career paths: working in nursing, serving as a clerical assistant, and even trying her hand at grape picking for a season.
In her later years, she demonstrated her generosity in her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels in the Adelaide Hills, where she gave her time to help those in need.
In 2019, she moved into an aged care facility at West Beach in Adelaide, where she became a beacon of healthy ageing.
Her love for walking and regular gym sessions made her a role model for fellow residents, demonstrating that age is no barrier to maintaining an active lifestyle.
'I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired, and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy you had before,' Ms van der Linden said in an interview last year.
'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike,' she added.
On her 111th birthday in August last year, she shared two pearls of wisdom that encapsulated her approach to life: 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you,' and 'Keep moving, don't sit still.'
Ms Van der Linden leaves behind a rich legacy, survived by her four children, ten grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Her life will be celebrated and remembered at a memorial service in Pasadena, SA, on March 15.
In a final act of generosity, she donated her body to The University of Adelaide Body Donation Program, hoping to contribute to advancing medical science through research.
You can watch 7News Australia’s story here:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms Van der Linden’s family at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.
The aged care facility in Adelaide, South Australia (SA), where she spent her final years, confirmed the news of her passing.
In a statement, the facility said: ‘Catherina, who was Australia’s oldest person, gently went into the night at West Beach Residential Care on Australia Day surrounded by her loving family and supported by our compassionate staff.’
Born in the Netherlands in 1912, Ms van der Linden embarked on a life-changing journey in 1955, migrating to Australia with her young family.
Not only was she Australia's oldest person, but she also held the distinction of being the oldest Dutch person in the world.
Catherina van der Linden passed away on January 26. Source: Southern Cross Care
Ms van der Linden's life was a testament to resilience and adaptability. She navigated multiple career paths: working in nursing, serving as a clerical assistant, and even trying her hand at grape picking for a season.
In her later years, she demonstrated her generosity in her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels in the Adelaide Hills, where she gave her time to help those in need.
In 2019, she moved into an aged care facility at West Beach in Adelaide, where she became a beacon of healthy ageing.
Her love for walking and regular gym sessions made her a role model for fellow residents, demonstrating that age is no barrier to maintaining an active lifestyle.
Ms van der Linden was an inspiration for her fellow aged care residents. Source: Southern Cross Care
'I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired, and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy you had before,' Ms van der Linden said in an interview last year.
'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike,' she added.
On her 111th birthday in August last year, she shared two pearls of wisdom that encapsulated her approach to life: 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you,' and 'Keep moving, don't sit still.'
Ms Van der Linden leaves behind a rich legacy, survived by her four children, ten grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Her life will be celebrated and remembered at a memorial service in Pasadena, SA, on March 15.
In a final act of generosity, she donated her body to The University of Adelaide Body Donation Program, hoping to contribute to advancing medical science through research.
You can watch 7News Australia’s story here:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms Van der Linden’s family at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.
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111 that’s a damn fine number of years.
