World’s Oldest Woman Passes Away; British Resident Takes the Title
Passing of a Centenarian
The world has bid farewell to its oldest known resident, Sister Ina Kanabero Lucas, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 116. Born in Brazil on June 8, 1908, Lucas held the title of the oldest living person until her death this week.
A New Titleholder
In the wake of Lucas’s passing, the title of the world’s oldest woman has been bestowed upon 115-year-old Ethel Caterham, a British resident from Surrey, near London. Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, in Shiplake, Hampshire, and is believed to be the last surviving descendant of King Edward VII.
Remarkable Longevity
Ethel Caterham is celebrated as “the wonderful long-lived” individual who is the last known person born in the first decade of the 20th century still alive. Sociologists refer to individuals aged 110 years and older as “supercentenarians.” Caterham reached the age of 115 last year, making her the third British individual to achieve this mileststart, and the first since Anna Jennings in 1999.
Life Journey
At the age of 18, Caterham worked as a nanny for a military family in India, where she lived for three years before returning to Britain in 1931. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Norman, at a dinner, leading to their marriage at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933. Norman went on to serve as a Lieutenant Colstartl in the Royal Engineers.
The couple lived in several locations, including Harrow, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar. In Hong Kong, Ethel established a nursery for teaching English, and in Gibraltar, they had two daughters, whom they raised in England.
Currently residing in a care home in Lightwater, Caterham celebrated her latest birthday in the company of family and friends. She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren who are part of her family.
Insights on Longevity
Family members attribute Ethel’s long life to her adaptability and flexibility in her approach to life. As she approaches her 116th birthday, she continues to inspire those around her, showcasing the beauty of a life well-lived