Merle O'Hara

	Merle O'Hara
	;
Birth:	20 February 1912; Kingston, Jamaica
Death:	4 November 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Age:	111 years, 257 days
Country:	JAMCAN
	Validated

Merle Millicent O'Hara (née Romney; 20 February 1912 – 4 November 2023) was a Jamaican-born Canadian supercentenarian who was one of the oldest known survivors of COVID-19, having recovered from the disease on 5 April 2022 at the age of 110. Her age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Merle O'Hara was born as Merle Millicent Romney in Kingston, Jamaica on 20 February 1912. Her parents were Ernest and Eva Romney.

At some point in her life, O'Hara got married and had one daughter, Bridget. She worked at a law firm. At one point, she lived on a farm.

On one occasion, O'Hara served tea to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at a resort during their visit to Jamaica.

Later Life[]

When O'Hara's only daughter got married and moved to Canada in 1974, she and her husband followed her. O'Hara's husband died in 1980.

O'Hara survived a stroke, but lost vision in her left eye. Among her hobbies were playing field hockey, bridge, and croquet.

In February 2022, O'Hara celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian.

In March 2022, at the age of 110, O'Hara tested positive for COVID-19, but she successfully recovered on 5 April 2022, making her one of the oldest known survivors of the disease.

In October 2023, O’Hara was summoned to jury duty, likely making her the oldest person to ever do this. She was later excused.

At the age of 111, O'Hara was still active on Instagram, making her one of the oldest active social media users in the world.

Merle O'Hara died on 4 November 2023 following a brief illness at the Haro Park Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at the age of 111 years, 257 days. At the time of her death, she was the second-oldest known living person in British Columbia (after Mabel Mah), the fifth-oldest known living person in Canada (after Mah, Helen Doan, Gertruda Gorecka, and Hazel Skuce), and was also the oldest known living Jamaican-born person. Following her death, then 111-year-old Merah Smith of the UK became the oldest known living Jamaican-born person.