I’ll just point out that the above is probably enough to identify the woman in question, pretty easily.
After I thought about it for a moment, I was somewhat surprised to realize that for my answer is my grandmother – my father’s mother – with whom I sat for the last few days of her life. She was just five weeks short of turning 99 when she died. Two of my other grandparents (my mother’s parents) lived into their 90s as well.
My aunt and uncle are both 95, and recently celebrated their 75th anniversary. My paternal grandmother lived until 95 (born in 1895!). My Dad recently passed at age 92. All are/were lucid, but very deaf. You should have listened to the aunt, uncle and my dad together, trying to talk! Talk about the “telephone” game!
When I was in high school, I was a member of a service organization called Key Club (which is a junior affiliate of Kiwanis); one of the things which we would do was go to the local nursing homes, and visit with the residents, many of whom rarely had visitors. We befriended a resident at one of the homes named Jennie, who was, IIRC, 101 or 102.
We all loved visiting with her, because she was still very sharp (many of the residents were suffering from dementia or other conditions, and it was difficult to carry on conversations), and had lots of stories about her childhood. We even arranged to have her attend the commencement ceremony for our high school class (she was in a wheelchair, and needed an attendant, but she was thrilled to be there).
My grandmother on my father’s side died at 107. I remember thinking how cool it was that Grant was president when she was born. My father died in his seventies, but one of his brothers lived to 101, the other 99.
My (great) Uncle Harry, who died when he was 98 or so.
He was a combatant in WWI. He gifted my Dad a couple of shells from the artillery. I don’t know what sizes they were, but those brass shells still decorate my fireplace, just as they did at Dad’s house. (Sadly, Dad has passed,)
RIP Uncle Harry.
Too late to edit: RIP my Dad also. He made it to age 87, and enjoyed wearing a tie everyday. I have the last tie that he ever wore.
Dad, know that you were a great role model. And, I like to wear a tie too. I’ll see you eventually–and I’ll be wearing a tie when we meet again.
My mother-in-law lived to be 97, and died in the same house where my wife grew up. Still sharp - the day she died, she had her grandson, his wife, and two of her great-grandchildren over to her house to plant tomatoes. Then they left, she went to bed, and never woke up.
My daughter’s boyfriend’s grandmother is still going strong at 101. I’ve met her - still clear of head and coherent.
Regards,
Shodan
I had a great-aunt who made it to 100 plus a few months, and a great-uncle who died about seven weeks before turning 100.
She’s dead so she won’t mind! But in full seriousness, she is an interesting woman with a crazy huge family if you want to look her up.
My father is still going strong at age 95. Lives with his third wife who is 94 who is still thriving despite being nearly blind.
Up to a few years ago, I used to play golf with guy who was 94. Unfortunately he passed away just a couple days ago.
I had a home care client who had her 101 birthday. She was “pleasantly confused” but still able to live alone with some help. She was really upset to find out she was 101 not “200” on that birthday, and insisted on referring to herself as 200 years old.
One day I was supposed to heat up her Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, but her Granddaughter (retired woman in her late 60s!) had brought her marshmallow puff cookies. I passed her the bag, and proceeded to warm up the gravy, etc. I came out and she had chocolate all over her hands and mouth and eyebrows. 25 year old me stammered “You’ll spoil your turkey dinner.”
She looked me square in the eye and said “I’m 200 years old. I’ve had a lot of turkey dinners. I’d rather have chocolate than Brussels sprouts.”
My own grandmother is 97 and still in her own seniors apartment she and my grandfather moved into nearly 30 years ago. My grandfather died almost 20 years ago. Other than being very hard of hearing and refusing to wear her dentures anymore there isn’t much wrong with my Grandma. My mom is going to see her next month… every time anyone of us see her could be the last time, but I strongly suspect I will be going to Thunder Bay in March 2020 for her 100th birthday.
(I really hate Thunder Bay in March, but how could I miss that?) All the women in my family live well into their 90s. (Goes to check my RRSPs)
My great-grandmother. She was just shy of her 105th birthday when she died during an afternoon nap. She was born in 1847 and died 1952. I was just over five and can just remember her sitting in her bed.
While 104, which my great-grandmother reached, seems to remain a popular choice I think 170 for our combined ages might be the thread record. From 1847 until today. My general health is very good so another 15 to 20 years for our total isn’t out of the question.
I’ll keep you posted.