BIOGRAPHY

Farrar was born as Dorris Gertrude Wood in Bar Harbor, Hancock County, Maine, USA, on 6 June 1906. Her parents were George Fernando Wood (1878–1945) and Harriett M. Hadley (1881–1956). She had two sisters, Arleen Snow and Grace Kirsten. When she was around 8 years old, her family moved to New Britain, Connecticut, where she attended school.

In 1927, she graduated from New Britain General Hospital. In 1928, she married Earle Linwood Sawyer (1905–1969), with whom she had two daughters. The couple divorced at some point, and she remarried Raymond Munroe Farrar (1908–1981). She spent her nursing career both in Connecticut and in Massachusetts, until retiring at the age of 70.

In 2003, she returned to Maine. She stopped driving after turning 100. In December 2017, she was visited by U.S. Senator, Angus King, who presented her a certificate (on which her name was misspelled, something she herself noticed during the visit) and an American flag.

Farrar passed away in Freeport, Maine, USA, on 7 May 2018, at the age of 111 years, 335 days. She was survived by 2 daughters, 14 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 31 March 2017, at the age of 110 years, 298 days, she surpassed the final age of Margaret Linehan (1893– 2003), becoming the oldest (known) person ever in the U.S. state of Maine. On 6 June 2017, she became the first person in Maine to celebrate 111th birthday.

Her age was validated by LongeviQuest on 16 April 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Once a nurse, always a nurse” – New Britain Herald, 2008

* “A supercentenarian celebration: Freeport’s Doris Farrar celebrating her 110th” – Sun Journal, 4 June 2016

* “One of Maine’s oldest residents celebrates 111th birthday” – WGME, 6 June 2017

* “Dorris Farrar, Maine’s oldest person, has died at 111” – Central Maine news, 8 May 2018

* Dorris (Wood) Farrar – Legacy

* “Dorris Gertrude Wood Farrar” – FindAGrave

GALLERY