Gerontology Research Group

The GRG announces the age validation of Ralph Vyvyan Hoare. Ralph was born July 19th 1908 in Plymouth, Devon, England, to Charles and Elsie Hoare. He had at least one sibling – a sister. By 1939 Ralph was living in Fowey, Cornwall. In April 1940, Ralph married Dorothy Wide in Taunton, Somerset. They went on to have at least one child – a daughter named Kate. From 1956 onward, he lived in Gloucester, where Ralph remained living for the rest of his life. Ralph passed away there on January 29th 2019, aged 110 years, 194 days. His age was verified by Waclaw Jan Kroczek and myself, later accepted by the…

The GRG announces the age validation of Marcelle “Solange” Demorgny, nee Pressac. Marcelle was born March 10th 1913 in Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. She graduated from school at age 12 and went on to work as a chambermaid in Charente and then Paris. Marcelle married and had five children, all of whom she has outlived. She met President Eisenhower in 1959 in Paris and had a brief interaction. Marcelle currently lives in Champagne-Mouton, Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, aged 110. She is the oldest known person living in the department of Charente. Her age was verified by France correspondent Sylvain Grosgeorge, accepted by the GRG as validated from today’s date – January 23rd 2024.

The GRG announces the age validation of Clarice Patterson, nee Bond. Clarice was born December 29th 1912 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, to John and Nellie Bond. In the mid-1940’s Clarice married Stanley E Patterson and they went on to have three children. On August 8th 1987, Stanley sadly passed away suddenly, leaving Clarice a widow. Clarice currently lives in West Baltimore, Maryland, at age 111. At age 100 she was diagnosed with dementia, but reportedly otherwise is in reasonable health. Clarice’s age was verified by myself and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, accepted as validated by the GRG today, January 22nd 2024.

The GRG announces the age validation of Gertrude Annie Kingston, nee Brown. Gertrude was born in Farnbourough, Hampshire, England, UK, on February 1st 1909 to Walter and Rhoda (nee Sparks) Brown. Her father was sadly killed in the First World War. In early 1960, Gertrude married Albert Earnest (Ernie) Kingston in Woking, Berkshire. They remained married until she was widowed in 1983. Gertrude lived independently until 2009, when she moved into a care home in Woolton Hill, Hampshire, where she would remain for the rest of her life. In June 2021, Gertrude became the oldest known living person in the UK – a title she held until her passing. She…

The GRG announces the age validation of Mary Isabelle Ransopher, nee Farlow. Mary was born December 25th 1912 in West Middleton, Howard County, Indiana, USA, to Ed O Farlow and Pansy (nee Thompson) Farlow. She had at least four siblings. In August 1935, Mary married J Marland Ransopher, known as Marlin and they went on to have four children together. Marlin sadly died in 2006 leaving Mary a widow. Mary is currently the oldest known person living in Indiana, USA. She currently lives in Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana, at age 111. Mary’s age was verified by myself and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, accepted as validated by the GRG today, January 21st…