BIOGRAPHY

Curren was born as Flora Bell Monroe in Riley, Michigan, on 4 June 1883 as the daughter of Charles and Emerette “Emma” (Jones) Monroe. She had at least six siblings, two of whom, Bessie and Maude, lived into their 90s.

Curren married her husband, Louie, in St. Johns, Michigan, on 9 September 1902. The couple had five children: Glenn, Golden, Dorothy, Arlene, and Garnet, all of whom lived to be 79 or older. She was widowed in 1949, and her eldest son Glenn died in 1983 just short of his 80th birthday.

Curren died in Grayling, Michigan, on 18 April 1995 at the age of 111 years, 318 days. She was survived by four of her five children and many grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of 110-year-old Anna Downing on 6 September 1993, Curren became Michigan’s oldest resident. Upon her own death, the title passed to Italian immigrant Rose Colicchia (1886 – 1996).

Curren’s age was validated by the GRG on an unknown date.

ATTRIBUTION

• The Kalamazoo Gazette, 9 October 1992
• Find A Grave

GALLERY