BIOGRAPHY

Janet Luscombe was born in Lewisporte, Newfoundland, Canada, on 12 August 1910, to parents Daniel and Jessie Downton. She had eight siblings, all of whom predeceased her.

In 1931, she married Chesley George Luscombe. In 1949, seeking employment, they moved from Newfoundland to Ontario, where Janet worked as a seamstress at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). They had four children: Ruth Abbott, Roy, M. Jean Dewar (all of whom predeceased her), and Barbara Dewar. Her husband passed away in 1975. Following her husband’s passing, she moved to Owen Sound to live with her daughter Barbara.

Luscombe continued to travel until she was 107 years old. Among her favorite destinations were Nova Scotia, Montreal, Bracebridge, and Port Colborne, and she made a special trip back to Newfoundland at the age of 102. Embracing her personal motto, “don’t sit in the rocking chair,” she remained actively involved in her church and enjoyed day trips, shopping, dining out, and knitting knee and prayer blankets, as well as clothing for the homeless. She also baked bread to share with loved ones and was a dedicated supporter of the Scott Mission and SickKids Hospital.

At the time of her 110th birthday, she resided at Riverwood Senior Living in Alliston. Although she experienced some difficulty with hearing and vision, she walked on her own and remained relatively independent.

Janet Luscombe passed away at Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham, Ontario, Canada, on 25 January 2022, at the age of 111 years, 166 days. She was survived by her daughter Barbara, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. She survived three of her grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 4 June 2021, following the passing of 114-year-old Phyllis Ridgway, she became the oldest (known) living person in Ontario.

At the time of her passing, she was the fourth-oldest (known) living person in Canada, behind Shige Mineshiba, Yvonne Delorme-Martel, and Mabel Mah.

Her age has not been validated by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “108-year-old Alliston woman’s advice for a long life? ‘Don’t sit in the rocking chair!’” – Simcoe.com, 22 August 2018

* “Janet Luscombe, born in Newfoundland 110 years ago, is one of Canada’s oldest people” – SaltWire, 14 October 2020

* “Janet Luscombe Obituary” – Dignity Memorial

GALLERY