Fannie Buten, 111, Dies

From my hometown of Philadelphia comes news that one of its residents has died. Fannie Buten, one of the oldest documented people in the world ("the 37th-oldest") succumbed to a stroke at the age of 111.

Penna.'s Oldest Resident 'Liked Anything Beautiful,' The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 29

Below: Mrs. Buten's 111th birthday in February, with daughter. And with her husband, Mottie, in the late 1950s.

Of course, it's difficult to extract meaningful tidbits about how to live a long and prosperous life from an obituary. I'll take the plunge anyway...

"She was a graduate of William Penn High School for Girls."

Surround yourself with women.

"She was the vice president of the student association [of her High School]."

Embrace politics.

"Mrs. Buten became a homemaker."

Cook.

"Mrs. Buten "loved to cook," [said Mrs. Buten's daughter]."

Cook.

"In 1920, she met Mottie Buten [of Buten Paints fame]. He was one of four brothers. ... Mottie Buten died in 1963."

Mottie was not surrounded with enough women.

"Mrs. Buten 'was not an exerciser. She never watched her diet. She loved her coffee and her chocolate and ice cream. She was not a heavy woman, [said Mrs. Buten's daughter].' "

Give in.

"Mrs. Buten drove a car into her 90s."

Do not allow others' odd hand gestures, grimaces, and occasional outbursts stop you from doing what you love.

"A saying that she used: "It's easy to give money, but the most important thing is to give of yourself." "

Give.
________Photos from the Inquirer article.