In The News

Oldest person in UK passes away

Oldest person in UK passes away

THE death has taken place of Grace Jones, who at the age of 113 had been the oldest person in the U.K. 

Miss Jones, who had also been the sixth oldest person in the world, was born on December 7, 1899, and lived in Bermondsey in south-east London. 

The former seamstress never married. She had been engaged during World War One but her fiancé was killed on active service.

Her passing means there is now no one left alive in the United Kingdom who was born in the 1800s. 

Despite her great age, Miss Jones continued to live independently until only a few weeks before her death. She was a well-known and loved figure in Bermondsey where until only a short number of years ago could still be seen out shopping.

The local M.P., Simon Hughes, paid tribute to Miss Jones saying that her memory and intellect had remained “undimmed” until the end.

Mr. Hughes continued: “Grace’s friends and neighbours and the wider Bermondsey community are very sad at the news of her death. But we pay tribute to Grace for her wonderful long life, for her commitment to her faith, her family and her community, and we know that a woman of such strong Christian faith faced death with no fear.”

Miss Jones, who had suffered a fall a few weeks ago, passed away in St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Her death means that the title of the oldest person in the U.K. now passes to Ethel Lang from Barnsley, who was born in May 1900 and is 113.

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