End of an era End of an era

Last known survivor of 19th century dies at 117

World’s oldest person, Emma Morano, passes away while sitting at home in her armchair in northern Italian town of Verbania

By Agencies 15 April 2017, 9:10 pm

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In this file photo taken on May 14, 2016 shows Emma Morano, then 116, posing for an AFP photographer in Verbania, northern Italy, on May 14, 2016. (AFP Photo/Olivier Morin)

ROME — An Italian doctor says Emma Morano, at 117 the world’s oldest person, has died in her home in northern Italy.

Dr. Carlo Bava told The Associated Press by telephone that Morano’s caretaker called him to say the woman had passed away Saturday afternoon while sitting in an armchair in her home in Verbania, a town on Lake Maggiore.

Bava said he had last paid his nearly-daily call on Morano on Friday. He says “she thanked me and held my hand” as usual.

Morano, born on November 29, 1899, was also believed to have been the last surviving person in the world who was born in the 1800s.

“She had an extraordinary life, and we will always remember her strength to help us move forward in life,” the mayor of Verbania was quoted by Italian media reports as saying.