Benedetta Zerla turns 100: celebration in Montichiari

Montichiari’s newest centenarian, Benedetta Zerla, celebrated her 100th birthday on the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 September, at her home in the residential area of Via Alberto Leonardi, near the skating rink. Her children Susanna, Sonia and Giovanni, her three grandchildren and Mayor Marco Togni were with her. The mayor presented her with a bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion.

Benedetta Zerla was born in Ossimo, in Valcamonica, on 2 September 1926. In her hometown, she ran a hardware shop taken over from her parents until 1963. She later followed her husband Giuseppe Franzoni to Genoa, where he first worked as a lorry driver and then ran a petrol station.

After helping him with the business, Benedetta continued working at the petrol station with her son Giovanni until she retired. Widowed in 1977, she maintained a close connection with Valcamonica and returned there every summer with her children. Since 2020, she has lived in Montichiari with her family.

Described as a calm and cheerful person who carefully managed the family’s expenses, she continued until last year to read the magazine Grand Hotel every week, as well as the regular bulletin issued by local traders. She is also a devoted television viewer.

Over the years, she has faced several health problems. At the age of 92, she fell at her home in Ossimo and fractured her femur. She underwent surgery and recovered quickly. Two years later, another fall injured her hip; on that occasion, thanks to treatment by doctors at Montichiari Hospital, she recovered without having to undergo an operation.

Today, despite a marked hearing impairment, she continues to pay close attention to her loved ones, with whom she shares her daily life.