America’s Oldest Woman Dies at 114
Mary Josephine Ray died Sunday in New Hampshire as the oldest woman living in the United States and the second oldest in the world. She is the oldest person ever recorded to live in New Hampshire. The Maplewood County Nursing Home in Westmoreland reported that she died peacefully in her sleep. Yesterday, she was 114 years, 294 days old.
Ray is said to have remained “spry” until just two weeks ago, even giving an interview last week. Apparently, she was already planning her upcoming birthday.
Born May 17, 1895 in Canada, Ray moved to the United States when she was 3 years-old.
In addition to living in New Hampshire, Ray also lived in Florida and Massachusetts, and she spent nearly 60 years of her life in Maine.
Her husband, Walter, died in 1967. Ray will be buried next to him in Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Maine.
Ray is survived by two sons, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
Now, the oldest person in the United States is Neva Morris of Iowa. She is 114 years, 216 days old.
The oldest person in the world is still Japan’s Kama Chinen. She is 114 years, 301 days old.
[photo: NOLA.com]
Tags: 114, Mary Josephine Ray, New Hampshire, oldest person in the world
