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Nebraska Woman Turns 114 Years Old, Claims Title of ‘Oldest Living American’
A 114-year-old Nebraska woman who has taken the title of America’s oldest living person says that what she wants most is to eat with her friend after a year of pandemic restrictions.
Thelma Sutcliffe, of Omaha, became the nation’s oldest living person and seventh-oldest in the world on April 17 when Hester Ford, a 115-year-old woman, died in North Carolina, according to the Gerontology Research Group. Thelma Sutcliffe is shown with a birthday cake in October 2019, in Omaha, Nebraska. Sutcliffe is now the oldest living American at 114 years old. (Mike Kelly/The World-Herald via AP)
Thelma Sutcliffe, 114-year-old Nebraska woman, is now the oldest living American
A 114-year-old Omaha, Nebraska, woman has become the oldest living American.
Thelma Sutcliffe, born Oct. 1, 1906, celebrated her 114th birthday in October. She is also now the seventh-oldest person in the world. Sign up for our Newsletters
The previous record-holder, 115-year-old Hester Ford, died in North Carolina on April 17, according to the Gerontology Research Group. Ford will have her life honored with a special light display and funeral service, her great-granddaughter said.
Sutcliffe has survived two bouts of breast cancer over the course of her life.
A spokesperson for Brighton Gardens of Omaha told our sister station, KETV NewsWatch 7, in October that Thelma s party was low key, but she received quite a few gifts.
May 3, 2021
Thelma Sutcliffe is also the seventh-oldest person in the world now, taking the title after
Hester Ford passed away earlier this month at age 115, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
Thelma is a resident at a senior living center and she’s not a fan of the COVID restrictions they enforce to keep everyone safe and healthy. After a year of the pandemic, her longtime friend,
Luella“Lou” Mason, says, “Thelma is as determined as ever to do what she wants to do.” So what does the oldest living person in the country want to do? She says what she wants most is to eat with her friend, Lou.