A Tabusintac, N.B., woman who was believed to be the oldest living person in Atlantic Canada has died.
Ellen “Nellie” Harris just celebrated her 110th birthday in September surrounded by family.
Her nursing home tells CTV News that Harris passed away Monday morning in her sleep. They say she was a special woman who cared about everyone and she will be deeply missed.
Harris was born into a large family, with seven sisters and one brother. One surviving sister is just shy of the century mark.
“She is the centre of this family. Always has been, always will be,” Harris’s granddaughter Lynda Zeman told CTV News back in September.
Harris was born on Sept. 14, 1906 – 13 years before women were allowed to vote. Her mother was a school teacher, while her father worked as a farmer and fisherman. Harris moved to Boston as a young woman to pursue a career as a nurse’s aide, and returned to Tabusintac after she retired.
Harris lived independently until 2009, but then moved into a nursing home. She would credit her sensible diet and stress-free lifestyle for her longstanding health.
“She's taught the rest of us girls very well,” said Harris’s granddaughter Jami Hoile in September. “It's nice to have her and her strength and get that passed down to some strong women in this family.”
Harris is survived by a daughter Loraine Wishart (Myles), sister Margaret Stymiest, 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
“I love to see them all. They seem happy,” Harris told CTV News in September.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Friday Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Johns Presbyterian Church in Tabusintac.
