Vivian Illing

Who was Vivian Illing?

Vivian Lousie Illing, was, at the time of her death in 2009, thought to be the oldest living survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Illing was born in West Newton, Massachusetts, on December 25, 1900. She was the third of four children of her parents, Juan Jose Rego de Cora of Spain and Elvira Martinez de Pedroso, who was originally from Havana, Cuba. Her ancestor was Diego de Sotolongo, who immigrated to Cuba in 1517. Sotolongo resided in Cuba for the rest of his life. When Sotolongo died in Cuba at the age of 94, he was the oldest man on the island at the time.

Illing moved with her family to San Francisco in 1903. She survived the 1906 earthquake, becoming an amateur historian and storyteller of the earthquake, and the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition, later in life.

Vivian Illing died on January 22, 2009, at the age of 108. She was survived by her son, Robert Illing, and three grandchildren, Ariana, Alexander and Rebecca Illing, all of whom live in Oporto, Portugal. Her funeral was held at the St Francisco Episcopal Church in San Francisco.