Although my mother died young at age 47 and my dad died at 60, Mrs. RWP and I have had some long livers in our family and among our friends. I have listed them below in descending order by age:
Clark H., our friend F.M.'s brother-in-law, was born on February 25, 1906, and died on November 13, 2008. He lived 102 years, 8 months, 18 days.
Audrey G., mother of my childhood friend John G., was born on February 20, 1905 and died on August 23, 2004. She lived 99 years, 6 months, 3 days.
Ruth C., mother of our friend Becky R., was born in 1917 and died on February 24, 2018. She lived 99 years and some months.
Our friend for more than 50 years, Len G., was born on February 2, 1923, and is still alive. He is 98 years, 20 days.
My fourth-grade teacher, Charlotte A., who taught me how to do long division, was born on November 25, 1897, and died on December 10, 1995. She lived 98 years, 15 days.
My mother's father, Nathan S., was born on March 21, 1875, and died on December 20, 1970. He lived 95 years, 8 months, 29 days.
Our friend F.M.'s sister, Mildred H. (she was married to Clark) was born on March 5, 1912 and died on October 1, 2007. She lived 95 years, 6 months, 30 days.
A friend from church, Rosemary L., was born on February 8, 1918. and died on January 19, 2013. She lived 94 years, 11 months, 11 days.
Dr. Torrey J., our pastor when we lived in Florida in the 1960s and 1970s, was born on March 15, 1909, and died on May 15, 2002. He lived 93 years, 2 months.
Our daughter-in-law's grandmother, Lillian W., was born on November 27, 1911 and died on December 10, 2004. She lived 93 years, 13 days.
Evelyn J., wife of Dr. Torrey J., was born on October 1, 1909, and died on May 15, 2002. She lived 92 years, 7 months, 14 days. You may note that she died one day after her husband. They both died of natural causes..
My stepmother's brother's wife, Dorothy W., was born on January 4, 1929, and is still alive. She is 92 years, 1 month, 19 days old.
Another friend from church, Amalfi C., whom we have known for more than 40 years, was born January 23, 1930, and is still alive. She is 91 years, 1 month old.
My father's oldest brother's daughter, Peggy Brague P., was born on January 16, 1931, and is still alive. She is 90 years, 1 month, 6 days old.
My stepmother, Mildred F., was born on March 30, 1915, and died on November 27, 2004. She lived 89 years, 7 months, 28 days.
Leona M., our friend F.M.'s mother, was born on July 11, 1894, and died on January 21, 1984. She lived 89 years, 6 months, 10 days.
Lawanda W., who was married to another of my stepmother's brothers, was born on April 11 1930, and died on May 11, 2019. She lived 89 years, 1 month.
My mother's sister, Marion C., was born on January 29, 1899, and died on November 3, 1987. She lived 88 years, 9 months, 4 days.
My stepmother's brother, Russ W., the one who married Dorothy, was born December 15, 1921, and died on August 14, 2010. He lived 88 years, 7 months, 30 days. He was the last survivor among 10 siblings, and everyone in the family called him Junior because he was named after his father.
My wife's father, James C., was born on February 15, 1895, and died on August 28, 1983. He lived 88 years, 6 months, 13 days.
Our son-in-law's father, John S., was born on September 30, 1932, and is still alive. He is 88 years, 4 months, 22 days old.
Our pastor's mother, Rita R., was born on March 3, 1933, and died on February 2, 2021. She lived 87 years, 10 months, 29 days.
Another friend from church, Audrey L., whom we have known for over 45 years, was born on April 24, 1933, and is still alive. She is 87 years, 9 months, 29 days old.
Speaking of our friend F.M., he was born on October 1, 1932, and died on June 16, 2020. He lived 87 years, 9 months, 15 days. We knew him for 45 years.
A friend in Florida whom we have known for more than 50 years, Ruth C, was born on July 27, 1933, and is still alive. She is 87 years, 6 months, 25 days old.
I think that's everybody on my radar. I hope I haven't forgotten anybody. Anybody younger is not yet old enough to qualify for my list.
I don't know if learning about our family and friends bores you to tears, but I enjoyed putting this post together.
I used to say that I hoped to live as long as my grandfather, but I have changed my mind. I want to outlive Clark H.
Oh, one more thing. If any of you can think of a better way than "long livers" to describe these people, please let me know!
P.S. -- Today, February 22nd, is what used to be known as Washington's Birthday in the United States. Not the city. Not the state. George. It should be noted for the record that since he was born in 1732 and died in 1799, by no stretch of the imagination could he be considered a long liver.
I thought that was an interesting post. I'm not sure that I can think of a better collective.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young man my maternal grandmother died at the age of 93 whilst doing the housework. She was slightly deaf but otherwise was very fit, well an active. She was generally regarded as having let the family side down because. when I was born there were 5 centenarians and 9 nonagenarians in my Mother's family. 93 was definitely on the 'young' side. My Mother likewise died with all her faculties at the age of 93. My Dad died at 94 having suffered chronic heart failure but having all his faculties.
I only want to live to 100 if I am reasonably fit and well.
Graham, I was told that at 95 my grandfather still walked to the library and the cleaners regularly, taught a maid to speak English, and played his violin every evening to entertain the other residents.
DeleteI think you probably have the right term. My family does not include many long livers. I do have an aunt who is in her 90's. She is the only one I can think of. I have already lived longer than either of my parents or any of my grandparents. It is sobering.
ReplyDeleteEmma, it is no small thing to hold the family record.
DeleteUnfortunately my first thought was the organ in the body, like in fatty liver. Glad you don't have a problem with your liver.
ReplyDeleteNo long livers in my family except for my grandmother who died at age 99.
"Live long and prosper." "Peace and long life."
Kathy, that was my fear too, that people would see “long liver” and think “Is your spleen long also?” But Emma and Graham had no problem with it.
DeleteI read once that someone said, “Is life worth living? It depends upon the liver.”