Supercentenarian Profile

Ethel Farrell

Born:

1902-11-27

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

India

Died:

2015-12-20

Blackburn South, Melbourne, Victoria

Australia

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Ethel Dorothy Farrell (née Burns) was an Indian-born Australian supercentenarian. Her age has been validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and recognised by LongeviQuest.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethel Farrell was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India (then British Raj), on 27 November 1902. She came to Australia from India with her husband in 1948, following India’s independence. They settled in Blackburn South, where she lived in the same home for the remainder of her life. She never worked outside the home, devoting herself fully to her husband, her children, and her church community.

Her husband passed away in 1991 at the age of 89. Their unmarried daughter, Deirdre, remained by her side and lovingly cared for her. In her later years, Ethel was deeply involved with St Edward’s Anglican Church in Blackburn South. She was a wonderful cook who loved sewing and taking care of her family.

Despite enjoying the occasional drink and cigarette over the years, Ethel remained in good health well into old age. At 110, it was reported that she was still healthy and had even retained her own teeth. Until about the age of 105, she continued to travel independently, taking train trips to Sydney and enjoying outings to the countryside.

On her 113th birthday, her daughter remarked that although Ethel was frail, she was otherwise very well. By that time, she had lost most of her eyesight and was limited in what she could do. Four of her children were still living, and she also had nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Ethel Farrell passed away in Blackburn South, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 20 December 2015, at the age of 113 years, 23 days.

RECOGNITION

Farrell’s age was verified by Dr. John McCormack and Anson Davis, and was validated by the GRG on 25 February 2014. She became the second validated supercentenarian who was born in India, after Lucy d’Abreu.

On 8 October 2014, following the passing of Vi Robbins, she became the Oldest Living Person in Australia. Upon her own passing in December 2015, she was succeeded by Mary Whitehurst.

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest person ever to have been born in India, after Lucy d’Abreu. She was also the second-oldest person ever to have died in the state of Victoria, after Christina Cock.