Olivia Patricia Thomas | |
Olivia Patricia Thomas in 2008. | |
Birth: | 29 June 1895 Moline, Iowa, USA |
Death: | 16 November 2009 Buffalo, New York, USA |
Age: | 114 years, 140 days |
Country: | USA |
Validated |
Olivia Patricia Thomas (née Trevillyan; 29 June 1895 – 16 November 2009) was an American supercentenarian whose age has been validated by the Gerontology Research Group.[1] At the time of her death, she was the second-oldest person in the United States (behind Mary Josephine Ray), the oldest United States-born person, and the third-oldest person in the world (behind Kama Chinen, and Mary Josephine Ray). She was also the oldest person ever born in Iowa, until being surpassed by Neva Morris just a few weeks after her death.
Biography
Thomas was born on 29 June 1895 to Samuel D. and Mary Margaret (Kreps) Trevillyan and grew up in Moline, Iowa. She married Frederick Thomas in 1923 and the couple moved to Snyder, near Buffalo, New York in 1946, when he began teaching engineering at the University at Buffalo. The couple had no children. Her husband died in 1982.[2] She was a dedicated gardener and was dubbed "the plant lady" by her neighbours.[3]
Thomas moved in to a nursing home in 2004, where she enjoyed organised activities such as music and exercise. She was strong enough to move about on her own in a wheelchair. She died on 16 November 2009 at the age of 114 years, 140 days.[4]