BIOGRAPHY

Christina Clay was born in Gorae, just outside Portland, Victoria. Being the second of 11 children, she grew up on a bush farm on Victoria’s southwest coast. She married Wilbert Cock in 1913, after meeting him at a church picnic in 1910. The couple remained married for almost 73 years, until Wilbert’s death at the age of 96 in 1986.

She lived in her own home until she was 109, when a fall resulting in a broken hip forced her to move into a retirement home.

Cook passed away in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 22 May 2002, at the age of 114 years, 148 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of 109-year-old Mary MacPherson on 11 December 1996, she became the oldest living Australian, aged 108.

On 21 November 2000, Cock broke the Australian longevity record of 112 years 330 days, which was set by Caroline Mockridge (11 December 1874 – 6 November 1987).

At the time of death, she was the second-oldest person in the world.

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY