Description
The City of Luxembourg has retained ownership of the Colling-Jacob family plot. The monument predates the first interment in this plot, which occurred in 1923. It showcases Luxembourgish traditional use of dressed stone, combined with a cast iron cross of redemption decorated with gothic fleurons. In 1923, at the age of 100 years and 2 months, Hélène Jacob was the oldest woman in Luxembourg. When she was born, life expectancy was barely 40 years. In honour of her 100th birthday in December 1922, her neighbours decorated her street with paper lanterns, and the mayor and aldermen paid her a visit and presented her with a copper planter. Hélène Jacob never married. Jules Colling worked as a customs officer and then as an insurance broker for Kosmos – a Zurich-based company.
