Salvina Barbara remained very lucid, despite her 104 years, and continued to listen to Radju Marija until her final moments.

A mother of four, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of three, Ms Barbara passed away on Thursday at home in Żabbar, where she lived for practically all her life.

She is not the only family member to live so long. In fact, until 2004, she looked after her sister, Ċettina, who died at 103.

Her daughter, Maria Cecy, said she had fond memories of her mother, whom she described as a prime devotee of the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Pompeii, among others. She used to recite the Divine Mercy prayer in English every day, with the last one minutes before she took her last breath.

Ms Barbara worked as protection officer during the war and was also a primary school teacher and assistant headmistress at the Marsaxlokk Primary School.

In 1946, she married Anthony Barbara, a chief engineer with the Telephone and Post Department. He passed away in 1978.

In April 1992, Ms Barbara was among 173 people to receive a replica of the George Cross from President Emeritus Ċensu Tabone for their services in defence of Malta.

Ms Cecy said her mother would spend hours listening to Radju Marija, reciting the Rosary at every occasion she had. Before she died, she also received Holy Communion, which, Ms Cecy noted, was something very important for her mother.

She said her mother was still mobile until very recently, walking around the house with the aid of her metal frame and the assistance of her helper who made it possible for her to continue living at home.

Ms Barbara’s funeral will be held today in Żabbar.