Gerontology Research Group

The GRG is excited to announce the age validation of Ida Louise Stewart, nee Gordon. Ida was born in Alexandria, Sain Ann, Jamaica, on November 13th 1896, although she claimed November 13th 1886. Her parents were Thomas and Catherine Gordon (Millin). She was one of 13 siblings, outliving every one. On June 10th, Ida had a child – a daughter named Edna, whom she also outlived. Edna died in 2008. On June 2nd 1928, Ida married Leonard Augustus Stewart and they remained married until his death in 1988. For most of her life, Ida reported good health, but by 2009 she had started to decline. In the last few weeks…

The GRG announces the age validation of Ludwika Kosztyla of Poland. Ludwika was born August 3rd 1897 in Brzozów, Poland (then Austria-Hungary), where she spent her whole life. She married a man named Antoni, whom she remained married to for 62 years until his passing. They had six children together – four daughters and two sons. One child died in infancy. Ludwika passed away at age 111 years, 120 days, on December 1st 2008 in her native Brzozow. She is considered one of the oldest people in Poland’s history, as well as the oldest known person in Poland before her death. Her age was verified by Poland correspondent Waclaw Jan…

The GRG announces the age validation of Merle Millicent O’Hara, nee Romney. Merle was born on February 20th 1912 in Kingston, Surrey County, Jamaica. On May 25th 1937, Merle married Daniel Murray O’hara in St Andrew Parish, Surrey County. They went on to have one child – a daughter named Bridget. Interestingly, on a visit to Jamaica, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were served tea by Merle. After Bridget married and moved to Canada, Merle and Daniel moved there themselves in 1974. Sadly, Merle was widowed in 1980, when Daniel died in March. Merle spent the rest of her life in Vancouver, Canada. She survived a stroke and Covid-19,…

The GRG announces the age validation of Reuben Sinclair. Known as Rube, Reuben was born in Lipton, Saskatchewan, Canada, on December 5th 1911. His parents and older siblings were born in the Ukraine, before starting a life in Canada. Reuben served his country in the Canadian Royal Air Force during the Second World War, stationed in Saskatchewan. He married his wife Ida and went on to have three children. In 1964, the family moved to California. In 1994, Ida suffered a debilitating stroke, after which they returned to Canada, residing in British Columbia. Ida sadly passed away in 1996. Reuben became the oldest known living man in Canada in September…

The GRG announces the age validation of Michalina Wasilewska. Michalina was born in Warsaw, Poland, which was then part of the Russian Empire, on December 21st 1898. She married, had two sons and a daughter, then was sadly widowed in 1939. From December 2008, Michalina became the oldest known living person in Poland. She was also the last known person in Poland born in the 1800’s. Michalina died in Warsaw, Poland, on January 3rd 2010, aged 111 years, 13 days. Michalina’s age was verified by Poland correspondent Waclaw Jan Kroczek, later retroactively accepted as valid on May 19th 2016.