BIOGRAPHY

Lowenthal was born in New York City on 9 October 1898 as one of nine children of Russian immigrants. She suffered many childhood illnesses, but overcame them all, and found work as a hat maker in Manhattan at the age of 14. She recalled the pride she felt when she saw her hats being sold in New York City

After leaving the industry, Lowenthal married and had two children, a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, who died in 2007. Her husband, Sam Lowenthal, served in World War I, and her son served in World War II. Her daughter was 83 at the time of her mother’s 110th birthday. Lowenthal also worked for a cancer service, as well as in a hospital cutting bandages.

When Lowenthal was 80, she moved to Palm Beach County, Florida after her husband’s retirement. She moved into a nursing home at the age of 109. As a supercentenarian, Lowenthal had six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and was living in a care facility in Delray Beach, Florida. She enjoyed playing bingo, manicures, and monthly lunch trips.

There was a history of longevity in Lowenthal’s family, with her father living into his 70s and one of her grandparents living to be over 90. Two of her siblings almost became centenarians.

Lowenthal died on 3 December 2009 at the age of 111 years, 55 days.

RECOGNITION

Lowenthal claimed birth on 17 September 1898, however, according to research conducted by Jimmy Lindberg and Stefan Maglov, she was born on 9 October 1898, and was validated with the latter date by LongeviQuest on 6 June 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

• The Palm Beach Post, 18 September 2008
• South Florida Sun Sentinel, 21 September 2008

GALLERY