Milia Paidiou, understood to be Cyprus’ oldest woman according to the 2011 census, has passed away aged nearly 111.

Born in Lefkoniko in 1912, Paidiou had four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She celebrated her 110th birthday in September 2022 and told Sigma at the time that she had lived through both great and challenging times.

Indeed, she recalled her contribution towards the anti-colonial struggle between 1955-1959 in which she transported her son’s weapons and ammunition.

Her impressive feat was captured on camera as Paidiou blew out the ‘110’ candles placed atop an ordinary looking chocolate cake.

Paidiou spoke clearly and with full clarity, but her son said her birthday wish last year had been to celebrate her next birthday in the village she was born in – occupied Lefkoniko.

“Our wish is to return and die in Lefkoniko, next year may we blow out 111 candles in the village square,” her son told Sigma.

Her funeral took place on Monday at 5pm at the Holy Temple of Ayia Paraskevi in Episkopi, Limassol.

Paidiou’s story echoes, in part, that of ‘Millennium Manoli’ – Athena Manoli – who in the year 2000 celebrated her 113th birthday.

Manoli was born in the Paphos area in the then Greek and Turkish Cypriot mixed village of Ayia Varvara on October 3, 1886 – meaning she lived to witness three centuries.

She was married at 18 and had five children, 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.