Benedetta Zerla Turns 100, Celebrations in Montichiari

Benedetta Zerla turned 100 on Wednesday, September 2, celebrating the milestone at her home in Montichiari, in Via Alberto Leonardi near the Pattinodromo. The centenarian was joined by her children, Susanna, Sonia and Giovanni, her three grandchildren, and Mayor Marco Togni, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

Born in Ossimo in Valcamonica on September 2, 1926, Zerla ran a hardware store in her hometown until 1963. She later moved to Genoa with her husband, Giuseppe Franzoni, where he worked first as a truck driver and then as a petrol station manager; Zerla supported him in the business and continued working as a petrol attendant with their son Giovanni until retirement. Widowed in 1977, she maintained close ties with Valcamonica, returning every summer with her children, and has lived in Montichiari since 2020.

Zerla described as calm and sociable, kept up with weekly reading and followed television regularly until last year. She also faced health setbacks, including a femur fracture after a fall at age 92, followed by surgery, and another fall two years later that affected her hip; she recovered with treatment at Montichiari hospital without needing an operation. Despite significant hearing loss, she remains involved in daily life with her family.
Italian Version