BIOGRAPHY

Ziegenfuss was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on 10 July 1905. She had two brothers and two sisters, none of whom lived beyond the age of 80. She attended a two-room schoolhouse in Glenside. She eventually began working for an insurance company in Oreland. Although she didn’t stay at the job for long, she was grateful she took it because a co-worker’s brother, Robert, became her husband in 1929. They remained married for more than 50 years, until her husband’s passing. The couple had a son, Robert.

On her 105th birthday, she received congratulations from President Barack Obama and a representative from NBC. At the age of 106, she was living at the Garden Spring Center nursing home in Willow Grove. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she replied, “Every night before going to bed, I enjoy a glass of wine.”

Ziegenfuss passed away in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, USA, on 16 August 2015, at the age of 110 years, 37 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Stefan Maglov and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 16 January 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Donning a New Year’s Eve style crown, Dottie Ziegenfuss rang in her 105th year…” – Willow Grove Guide, 13 July 2010

* “Elderly volunteer still going strong at 106” – 6abc Philadelphia, 4 August 2011

* “Chatted w/ 109 yr old Dorothy Ziegenfuss at the MontcoPA Centenarian Celebration.” – Twitter (@_LeslieRichards), 1 May 2014

* Dorothy Ziegenfuss – Find A Grave

* Carmel Presbyterian Church of Glenside

GALLERY