Thrissur: 112-year old Kunjannam of Parannur, near Choondal in Thrissur district in central Kerala died on Tuesday morning. Kunjannam’s name figured in the latest Limca Book of Records as the oldest living woman in India.

Kunjannam was not well for some days and she couldn’t take any food since Monday. She was admitted to the hospital on Monday afternoon, and efforts to save her by providing intravenous feed did not prove successful.

She died when her relative and well-wishers were planning a major celebration on her 113th birthday which was to fall on May 20, reported Times of India.

The officials of the Limca Book of Records had decided to include Kunjannam’s name after her family could produce her baptism records which was performed on May 20, 1903 by the Vicar of Our Lady of Rosary Church at Eranellur, near Parannur.

The baptism certificate was issued by the Archdiocese of Thrissur. The church authorities testified that Christian families of those days used to get the new born babies in their families baptised within the seventh or eighth day of birth in those days .

Kunjannam had lost both her parents in a gap of 40 days when she was young and she chose to remain a spinster after that. She was living with the family of brother’s son Jose, and was hardly taking any medicine. Most of her faculties including vision, hearing, speech and even memory were fairly intact till couple of days back.

Hailing from a poor family she had to work as home maid in a nearby Hindu family for about 50 years. She used to go to work till about five years back, though she was little scared to step out of her house following fall last year.
During a recent interview with TOI, Kunjannam had said vegetarian food and regular walks were what kept her healthy.

Mostly she was in a cheerful mood, though occasionally she was lamenting that she was alone now as all her 10 siblings had died earlier.

“I want to live more, but I don’t want to be a burden to others. I always thank God for His support throughout my life,” she had said when she was told about her selection as the oldest living woman in India.

The family members said the last rites of Kunjannam would be performed on Wednesday morning.