Edie Ceccarelli hailed as the oldest living American, passed away on February 22, 2024, seventeen days after celebrating her remarkable 116th birthday. Suzanne Picetti-Johnson, Edie’s birthday parade organizer in early February, confirmed the news of her peaceful departure.
In a phone interview, Picetti-Johnson shared that Ceccarelli died peacefully in her sleep in the afternoon. Notably, Picetti-Johnson works with Avenues to Wellness, a healthcare program through the Frank R. Howard Foundation.
Reflecting on Ceccarelli’s life, Picetti-Johnson emphasized how she inspired everyone, showcasing the keys to a long and healthy life. Additionally, Picetti-Johnson, the program director for Avenues to Wellness, had organized Ceccarelli’s birthday for the past four years.
In recent years, Willits, where Ceccarelli was born and raised, established an annual tradition of celebrating her birthday. The small town, nestled in Mendocino County, about 160 miles northwest of Sacramento, took the tradition warmly.
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On February 4, 2024, a day before Ceccarelli’s birthday, the town continued the heartwarming tradition with a drive-by parade. Residents drove past her home, honking their horns and waving. Picetti-Johnson said, “She loved people, her community, and her family and stayed connected her whole life. She showed us how to live.”
Following Ceccarelli’s death, the title of the oldest living American now belongs to someone else. According to a report by the Gerontology Research Group, the title now belongs to 114-year-old Elizabeth Francis in Texas. Currently, the title of the oldest living person in the world belongs to Maria Branyas Morera, a San Francisco-born Spain resident.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she is 116. Branyas Morera holds this distinction, surpassing Edie Ceccarelli’s age by several months. Born on February 5, 1908, with the maiden name Recagno, Ceccarelli spent her entire life in California.
She was the oldest among seven siblings, leaving a legacy spanning over a century. Moreover, Ceccarelli’s life journey took her to various locations in Northern California, including Eureka, Santa Rosa, and Ukiah.
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Moreover, her time in Santa Rosa, where she lived with her first husband, Brick Keenan, marked a significant chapter. Ceccarelli contributed to the community by working for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Ceccarelli and Keenan shared a remarkable marriage partnership for an impressive 50 years.
After relocating to Willits, their union continued until Keenan’s passing in 1984. Following Keenan’s death, Ceccarelli began a second chapter in her life by marrying Charles Ceccarelli. Together, they lived in Ukiah. Their marriage lasted for five years until Charles Ceccarelli’s passing.
Notably, Ceccarelli outlived all her immediate family members. She was an extraordinarily healthy, smart dresser who loved dancing and long walks. Like Ceccarelli, Francis enjoyed long walks and embraced an active lifestyle well into her early 90s.
Remarkably, Ceccarelli and Francis were free of cancer and heart disease throughout their lives. Throughout her youthful days, Francis maintained a health-conscious lifestyle. She did not smoke or consume alcohol.
Francis grew her vegetables in her garden, including collard greens, carrots, and okra. Overall, like Ceccarelli, Francis prioritizes a healthy lifestyle.
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