Thelma Sutcliffe, the oldest person in the United States, dies at 115

The oldest living person in the United States has died. Thelma Sutcliffe, of Omaha, Nebraska, was 115 years and 108 days old when she died. She was the 7th oldest person in the world.

She was born on Oct. 1, 1906, sharing the date with former President Jimmy Carter. Sutcliffe survived breast cancer on 2 occasions during her life. “She passed away peacefully in Omaha at an assisted living facility,” said her nephew Robert Sorenson, 94.

The last time Sorenson saw his aunt was two years ago. “We had plans to meet, but the pandemic took place; we talked on the phone frequently,” said Sorenson, who lives in the Phoenix area.

“I am the last closest relative that she has. She was very important to me. She was good to me and my siblings all throughout the years,” Sorenson added.

Luella Mason, a longtime friend, had told CNN then that Sutcliffe had lost most of her eyesight and some of her hearing, but was otherwise “still very sharp.”

Sutcliffe had credited her long life to the fact that she never had children, never smoked and believed strongly in never worrying about anything, Mason said. “I don’t believe in worrying at all,” Sutcliffe reportedly said. “What good does it do? That’s how you live to be my age.”

Kane Tanaka, the oldest living person in the world, just celebrated her 119th birthday in Japan.