Iowa woman believed to be longest-living American dies, aged 115
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Bessie Hendricks, born in 1907, celebrates her 115th birthday at Shady Oaks Care Centre in the US, where she lived.
PHOTO: FACEBOOK/SHADY OAKS CARE CENTRE
NEW YORK - A woman in Iowa believed to be the oldest person in the United States has died at age 115.
Mrs Bessie Hendricks died on Tuesday at a senior living facility in Lake City, according to Lampe and Powers Funeral Home.
She was born on Nov 7, 1907, and had been listed by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group as the US’ oldest living person. She had lived through historic events ranging from the two world wars and the Great Depression to the Spanish flu and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mrs Hendricks taught at a one-room schoolhouse in her native Calhoun County, Iowa, and raised five children, two of whom she outlived, according to USA Today.
When she turned 112, she told local media that the secret of her long life was “hard work”.
Her daughter said at the time that Mrs Hendricks hardly ever took medication and enjoyed sweets.
On her 115th birthday, the Shady Oaks Care Centre, where Mrs Hendricks lived, wrote: “We all wish Bessie H. a very happy birthday for her 115th! She’s had an awesome day celebrating with her family and friends. The cake, flowers, gifts and cards made the day extra special.”
Mrs Hendricks’ death leaves Mr Edie Ceccarelli of California as the oldest living American, data from the Gerontology Research Group shows. He is set to turn 115 on Feb 5.
The funeral service for Mrs Hendricks was to be held on Saturday at Lampe and Powers Funeral Home.
It will include a tribute to her life and readings of memoirs written by her family, funeral director Dana Morris said. REUTERS
