US Oldest Woman, Who voted ever since women had the ride to vote, dies

[Champ]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - America's oldest person, a 114-year-old woman who voted in every election since women earned the right in 1920 and had the thinnest file in her doctor's office, has died.



Verona Johnston died Wednesday at home in Worthington, Ohio, said her daughter, Julie Johnson. "She just wore out," Johnson said. "She was still very sharp up until a few months ago." Johnston moved from her native Iowa to Ohio at age 98 to live with Johnson and her husband, both in their 80s. She still considered Iowa home.


Johnson said her mother was "ready to go," and that shortly before her death she said: "Dying is hard, but everyone has to do it, and I hope I do it well."


Johnston voted in every election since women earned the right in 1920, even casting an absentee ballot in November.


Johnston lived a wholesome life, rarely visited doctors and never used the deductible on her health insurance policy, relatives said. The secretary at her doctor's office said Johnston had the thinnest file on record.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1835&ncid=1835&e=1&u=/cpress/20041203/ca_pr_on_od/oldest_american

[Abelman]

1. That's awesome

Really cool.

[NYC]

2. I think her vote counted less at the end

than it did in the beginning.

[Dukkha]

3. she's my neighbor too

only a couple miles down the road

[UrbScotty]

5. Are you serious?

That has to be the coolest thing!

[Metatron]

4. What an inspiration!

RIP Verona Johnston

[joeybee12]

6. Must be genetic, because if her daughter--in her 80's--is well enough

to take care of someone, the daughter must be in pretty good shape. Seeiung older parents, relatives, etc. reach that age, very few can get by without needing someone assisting them!

[shesemsmom]

7. You just have to love someone like that

a true Blue American Woman!!!

[UrbScotty]

8. Wasn't she featured in TIME Magazine recently?

The issue was called "How to Live to Be 100 (And Not Regret It)" or something like that.

[Ekirh]

9. It's amazing...

That an 114 year old woman.. can still find a way to vote.. and yet.. alot of hte 18-21 demograph who probably are more able and definitley more mobile don't....

R.I.P girl.