Remarkable Life of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas: The 116-Year-Old Nun Passes Away

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun and the world's oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116. Known for her love of Sport Club Internacional and her unwavering faith, her inspiring life is celebrated by those she touched.

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, born on June 8, 1908, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, has died at the age of 116, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter in the lives of those who knew her. A devoted Catholic nun, Sister Inah had dedicated her life to serving her community while remaining a passionate supporter of Sport Club Internacional, Porto Alegre's football team.

During her years on earth, Sister Inah was noted for her joyous birthday celebrations, typically featuring a cake designed like her beloved football stadium. Her family recounted that her secret to a long life was firmly rooted in her faith, with Sister Inah often stating "he [God] is the secret to life." She gained international recognition after being blessed by Pope Francis in 2018, an honor that delighted her family and friends.

As the world marks her passing, the title of oldest living person now transitions to 115-year-old Ethel Caterham from Surrey, England. Sister Inah's family shared that she had maintained good health throughout her life, with her body naturally slowing down rather than succumbing to illness. She passed on in her home in Porto Alegre, surrounded by the Teresian Sisters, a religious community that embraced her for years.

Well-known for her spirited personality, Sister Inah was a keen football lover. On her 116th birthday, she celebrated wearing a scarf bearing the colors of her favorite team and possessed an impressive collection of team merchandise, including multiple jerseys and pillows emblazoned with the team's logo.

Sister Rita Fernandes Barbosa, a co-ordinator at the religious home where Sister Inah resided, shared that the nun enjoyed a positive and healthy life for most of her years, only requiring a cataract operation at the age of 106. Although Sister Inah experienced diminished hearing and vision later in life, she adhered to a highly structured daily routine consisting of waking, eating, praying, and sleeping at consistent times.

Described by her fellow Teresian nun, Sister Terezinha Aragon, as someone who "never complained," Sister Inah embodied the traits of gratitude and good humor throughout her life. She had engaged in a religious vocation from a young age, starting with a boarding school at 16, and later fulfilling her teaching duties in the subjects of Portuguese and mathematics upon returning to Brazil in 1930.

Sister Rita emphasized that Sister Inah's longevity resulted from her strong discipline in work and life, maintaining sociability and welcoming behavior even as the years passed. Her legacy, steeped in faith and love, continues to inspire many.