Edith Ceccarelli Explained

Edie Ceccarelli
Birth Name:Edith Rose Recagno
Birth Date:February 5, 1908
Birth Place:Willits, California, U.S.
Death Date:
(aged)
Death Place:Willits, California, U.S.
Known For:Oldest living American (January 3, 2023 – February 22, 2024)
Spouse:
    Children:1 (deceased)

    Edith Rose Ceccarelli (née Recagno, formerly Keenan; February 5, 1908 – February 22, 2024) was an American supercentenarian.[1] At the age of 116 years, 17 days, she was the oldest person living in the United States and was also the second oldest living person in the world after Maria Branyas Morera from Spain.[2] [3]

    Biography

    Born in Willits, California, on February 5, 1908, Ceccarelli was the eldest of the seven children of Italian immigrants Agostino (1874–1965) and Maria Recagno (1881–1973), who both lived into their 90s.[2] Her father was a lumber worker who also sold groceries by horse and buggy before opening a store in Willits in 1916.[4] She graduated from Willits Union High School in 1927.[3]

    Ceccarelli danced regularly well into old age, and lived independently until she turned 107 and moved into a retirement home.[5] She suffered from dementia, but was able to walk with a walker until she was 114.[4] Each year, her birthday was celebrated officially by the town of Willits,[6] the final being a drive-by parade to mark her 116th birthday in 2024.[2] [7]

    Personal life and death

    In 1933, she married Elmer Keenan, whom she had met in high school, and moved with him to Santa Rosa, California, where he worked as a typesetter for The Press Democrat.[2] They adopted a daughter, Laureen,[2] who died in 2003,[5] and returned to Willits in 1971. After being widowed in 1984, she married Charles Ceccarelli in 1986 and was widowed for a second time in 1990.[3]

    Ceccarelli outlived her six younger siblings, two husbands, a daughter, and three grandchildren.[8] She became the oldest living person in the United States when Iowan Bessie Hendricks died in January 2023.[9]

    Edith Ceccarelli died on February 22, 2024, at the age of 116. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living American and second oldest living person in the world.[10] Upon Ceccarelli's death, Elizabeth Francis took over as the oldest living person in the United States.[11]

    References

    1. Web site: World Supercentenarian Rankings List . November 24, 2023 . Gerontology Research Group . en-US.
    2. News: Singh . Maanvi . February 6, 2024 . Sweet 116: town throws birthday bash for America's oldest person . February 26, 2024 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
    3. Web site: Rifkin . Karen . January 24, 2023 . Willits resident Edie Ceccarelli, Earth's third-oldest-known living person, to celebrate 115th birthday . February 26, 2024 . The Ukiah Daily Journal . en-US.
    4. News: February 16, 2021 . Essential California: At 113, she may be the oldest native Californian in the state . November 24, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
    5. News: Karlamangla . Soumya . February 7, 2024 . At 116, She Has Outlived Generations of Loved Ones. But Her Entire Town Has Become Family. . February 26, 2024 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
    6. Web site: February 2, 2024 . America's oldest living person is turning 116. Her hometown is throwing a birthday bash . February 26, 2024 . USA TODAY . en-US.
    7. News: Oldest living American Edie Ceccarelli of Willits celebrates 116th birthday with parade. The Press Democrat. February 5, 2024. February 5, 2024.
    8. News: February 21, 2021 . At 113, she's California's oldest native. She got through a tough 2020 and is still going strong . November 24, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
    9. News: Block . Francesca . Iowan Bessie Hendricks, America's oldest person, dies at 115 in Lake City . February 27, 2024 . . January 4, 2023 . Hendricks' death leaves Edie Ceccarelli of California as the oldest living American, .... She is set to turn 115 on Feb. 5..
    10. News: February 22, 2024 . Edie Ceccarelli, Willits resident and oldest living American, dies two weeks after 116th birthday. February 23, 2024 . The Press Democrat . en-US.
    11. News: Álvarez . Johanna A. . At 114, Texas woman believed to be the oldest American shares her secret to a long life . February 27, 2024 . . A 114-year-old Texas woman is now believed to be the oldest living person in the United States. Elizabeth Francis, who lives in Houston, became the oldest living person in the U.S. after the reported death of 116-year-old Edie Ceccarelli of Willits, California....

    External links