Supercentenarian Profile

Helen Wheat

Born:

1902-09-16

York, Pennsylvania

United States

Died:

2016-02-16

Frederick, Maryland

United States

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Helen Ida Wheat (née Boose) was an American supercentenarian. Her age has been validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and recognised by LongeviQuest.

BIOGRAPHY

Helen Wheat was born in York, Pennsylvania, USA, on 16 September 1902, to parents Allen Myers Boose (1868–1924) and Emma J. Helman (1871–1957). She had three older siblings: Harry Allen (1892–1960), Clara (1892–1981), and Jerre D. Boose (1899–1976). She attended school in York but left after the sixth grade to work at the York Ice Company and help support her family.

She was married twice. In 1923, she married her first husband, Harvey Pierce Naylor (1900–1976), a grocer who later became a machinist. They divorced while their children were still young. In 1937, she married William E. Wheat (1875–1960), a rail conductor on the line between New York and Washington, and moved to Maryland. Over the years, she helped raise about ten foster children from Baltimore.

In her later years, she worked at her son’s winery, doing everything from picking grapes in the vineyards to labeling bottles. She continued working until the age of 97 and remained active—working in the fields and driving—until she was 93. She had lived in Frederick since 2007. She was active in the United Methodist Church, where she played the organ and participated in the women’s group.

She enjoyed wine and attributed her longevity to having a glass every evening. She also credited her positive attitude and deep faith. At the age of 110, she advised young people to choose their friends wisely, attend church, be honest in all they do, help others, and believe in the Lord and pray.

At 112, it was reported that she had dementia and could no longer be interviewed, but her daughter described her as “a very nurturing person (who) has always lived her Christian faith throughout her life.”

Helen Wheat passed away at the Homewood of Crumland Farms Retirement Community in Frederick, Maryland, on 16 February 2016, at the age of 113 years, 153 days. She was survived by her three children (Richard Naylor, Janey Andrews, and Frank Wheat), as well as nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Wheat’s age was verified by Robert Young and Mark Muir, and was validated by the GRG on 27 May 2013.

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. She was also the third-oldest living person in the United States, after Susannah Mushatt Jones and Goldie Michelson.