Pilar Soldevilla, the Belver resident who worked in Sabadell, turns 100

Pilar Soldevilla Abad, born on 25 July 1926 in Belver de Cinca, celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday. The centenarian, who worked in Sabadell during her youth, received tributes from her family and the mayor.

Pilar Soldevilla Abad, a resident of Belver de Cinca (Huesca), has turned 100 years old. Born on 25 July 1926, the centenarian celebrated her anniversary at the local residence, surrounded by her four children, six grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. The mayor, Javier Carrasquer, presented her with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the municipality.

Pilar's story is linked to the province of Barcelona. As a young woman, she left her village to serve in Sabadell, where she worked for a family in the city. She spent several years there, and according to her daughter, she still fondly remembers that time. She returned to Belver de Cinca to start her own family with her husband, with whom she had four children: María Pilar, the eldest and only daughter, and José Luis, Ernesto, and Rafael.

Pilar is the second of five siblings. Her childhood was marked by the Civil War, which broke out when she was ten years old. Despite the time that has passed, her daughter claims she recalls those episodes with clarity. Once she had children, she learned to sew and even bought her own sewing machine, a skill she passed on to her daughter along with other teachings such as cooking and making preserves.

Currently, Pilar resides in the Belver de Cinca residence. Although she moves around in a wheelchair and has some hearing difficulties, she maintains her spark and mental clarity. “If someone asks her the time, she answers without hesitation,” her daughter states, proudly sharing such a special anniversary with her mother.

The centenary celebration brought the family together, who did not forget to bring her cake. “We love you, mum, grandma, and great-grandma,” they affectionately dedicated to her. The mayor also wanted to join the tribute, highlighting Pilar's life journey, as she is considered a “living memory” of the locality.

For the residents of Sabadell, Pilar Soldevilla's story is a link to the city's migratory past, which welcomed many people from other regions of Spain during the 20th century. Her memories of the family she worked for in Sabadell reflect the close relationship that existed between the Barcelonan municipality and rural Aragón.