Hawaii Island lost a centenarian — and likely its oldest resident — last month.
Hawaii Island lost a centenarian — and likely its oldest resident — last month.
Gertrudis Sanchez Antonio of Pepeekeo, known as “Grandma Odis,” died Feb. 17 at Hospice of Hilo. She was 108.
Antonio, who immigrated with her husband to the East Hawaii town from the Philippines in 1946, would have turned 109 on March 17.
“I thought maybe she would have reached 109,” said her daughter, Stella Garza of Hilo.
Garza, 64, said Antonio stayed independent long into her life and attributed her longevity to her healthy eating and lifestyle.
“She was not really a meat eater,” she said. “She liked her vegetables.”
Antonio cooked for herself until she was 100 and didn’t move into a care home until she was 105, Garza said.
She said her mom enjoyed going to the farmers market and crocheting, which Garza described as her favorite pastime.
Antonio was also a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. She was a former part-time seamstress and part owner of AC Service Station.
Her husband, Quirino Antonio Sr., was a crane operator. He died in 1995.
In addition to Garza and her husband, Roberto, who live in Hilo, Antonio is survived by two sons, Alexander (Kathleen) Antonio of Hilo and Quirino (Audrie) Antonio Jr. of Hilo; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; plus nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Ballard Family Mortuary in Hilo. Visitation is at 9 a.m.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.