| Ellen Cooke | |
 Ellen Cooke at the age of 107 | |
| Birth: | 16 October 1864 North Haven, Connecticut, USA |
| Death: | 18 October 1976 Belleville, New Jersey, USA |
| Age: | 112 years, 2 days |
| Country: |  USA
|
| Validated | |
Ellen Farnsworth “Nellie” Cooke (née Abbey) (16 October 1864 – 18 October 1976) was an American supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in the United States.
Biography[]
Ellen Farnsworth Cooke was born in North Haven, Connecticut, USA on 16 October 1864 to Edwin M Abbey and Emily F Abbey (née Carrington). Her parents married on 24 October 1863. She has one younger brother named Edwin E Abbey. It is not known if she had more siblings.
By the age of 16, Ellen was a servant to the Cooke family, where she met her future husband, William S Cooke. They married in 1886 in New Haven County, Connecticut. On 21 June 1887, the couple welcomed a daughter to the world - Marjorie Emily Cooke. Marjorie went on to marry Frank Elmer Ransom, and died on 13 January 1994, 17 years after her mother, at the age of 106 years, 206 days.
By 1905 the family had relocated to New York, settling in Brooklyn, Kings County. In 1920 the family had moved to New Jersey, living in West Caldwell, Essex County. William sadly passed away there on 7 August 1922. Ellen continued to live in Essex County for the rest of her life. Marjorie and her family also lived there – Ellen lived with them until she moved into the care facility in her last years.
On 21 October 1971, Ellen was photographed with two other (younger) centenarians at Essex County Geriatrics Center. The three were presented with certificates for the achievement of their respective ages. Ellen was erroneously labeled as 108, but had shortly before celebrated her 107th birthday. It is possible that Ellen thought she might have been born in 1863.
In October 1974, she celebrated her 110th birthday becoming a supercentenarian.
Following the death of 112-year-old Mary Bittlebrun on 6 August 1976, she became the oldest known living person in the United States.
Ellen Cooke died in Belleville, Essex County, Connecticut, USA on 18 October 1976 at the age of 112 years, 2 days. Following her death, then 111-year-old Alice Coles, became the oldest known living person in the United States.
Gallery[]
References[]
- 2024 validations Gerontology Research Group
- Ellen F. “Nellie” Abbey Cooke Find a Grave
- Over three centuries of age The Belleville Times, 21 October 1971