Maria Loi was the last of nine people from Jerza who, between 2019 and 2023, in just over forty-eight months, reached the milestone of one hundred years, leading to talk, even in Ogliastra, a land of centenarians, of a statistical anomaly. The old lady passed away today at the age of 102. She would have turned 103 on July 26th.
Four children, twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, a lifetime of work, including in the fields, and a driving license renewed until she was 95, which allowed her to drive her car with confidence and pride even through the narrow alleys characteristic of Jerzu's historic center.
"She was a woman of wit, shrewd and witty. She had strength, fortitude and wisdom; she told anecdotes and exuded good humor." This is how Carlo Lai, mayor of the Cannonau wine town, remembers her.
