BIOGRAPHY

Rohr was born in New York City, New York, USA, on 17 August 1878, to parents Jacob London (died 1935) and Jennie Goldstone (1843–1933). She grew up in Detroit, where she studied to be a teacher. She moved with her parents to Chicago, Illinois in 1900.

In 1907, she married Harry L. Rohr (1876–1953). The couple had seven children: Cella Deitch, Raymond (1910–1991), Benjamin (1912–2007), Sally Belsky, Newton (1916–1926), Marion Paul (1918–2012), and Philip (1921–1995).

Rohr claimed to have had a great-grandmother in Germany who lived to be 117 years old.

According to her daughter, Cella, even in her centenarian years, she maintained the habit of reading newspapers and books, particularly those in large print, right up until the end of her life. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair towards the end of her life, she remained lucid. She stayed informed about current events, actively participated in every election, with the exception of the last one before her passing, and possessed a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of subjects. She was also very good as sewing and an excellent cook.

Rohr passed away in Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 14 November 1988, at the age of 110 years, 89 days. She had been admitted to the hospital three weeks earlier due to pneumonia. She was survived by six children, 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of Illinois.

Her age was verified by Daniel Gonik, Jimmy Lindberg, and Stefan Maglov, and validated by LongeviQuest on 12 January 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* Belle London Rohr – Find A Grave

* “Belle Rohr, avid reader even at 110” – Chicago Tribune, 16 November 1988

* “State’s oldest woman dies Wednesday at 110” – Southern Illinoisan, 17 November 1988

GALLERY