BIOGRAPHY

Radcliffe was born as Melva Mae Cadmus in Paterson, New Jersey, on 3 March 1901, as the daughter of Wilmer and Ida Cadmus. Her father, a World War I colonel who served overseas, was also an erstwhile mayor of Paterson as well as president of the Second National Bank.

Radcliffe graduated from Paterson State College, and would later achieve her master’s degree in education. She taught third grade at the same school for 45 years, equating to over 3000 students, and even in her later life, could remember their names and their seating position in the classroom.

Radcliffe was married twice, but had no children. Her first husband, widower James Radcliffe, she married in her late 60s. He died in 1975 after just six years of marriage. Radcliffe later married her late husband’s brother, Hartley Radcliffe, who lived until 1998. Her retirement and married years were spent travelling the world, and spending time with friends and family.

The Cadmus family had a history of longevity; Radcliffe’s brother Wilmer and sister Mildred lived into their 90s, her mother lived to be 92, and her sister Ruth achieved centenarian status, dying at 100 years old.

Radcliffe died on 31 August 2012 at the age of 111 years, 181 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the 23 December 2011 death of Kaatje Hof, Radcliffe became New Jersey’s oldest resident. Upon her own death, the title passed to Adele Dunlap, then aged 109.

Radcliffe’s age was verified by Stefan Maglov and Jimmy Lindberg, and was validated by LongeviQuest on 26 April 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY