Supercentenarian Profile

Margaret Reed

Born:

1910-04-20

Loughgilly, County Armagh, Northern Ireland

United Kingdom

Died:

2021-07-08

Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England

United Kingdom

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Sarah Margaret Reed was a British supercentenarian who was among the oldest living people in the United Kingdom. Her age has not been validated by LongeviQuest.

BIOGRAPHY

Reed was born in Loughgilly, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, on 20 April 1910. She was one of nine children and served in a secret establishment of the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, she moved to Cornwall with her husband and their son David, where they operated a farm and grew primroses for the London flower markets.

Reed, who lived at Priory Court since 2015, was known for her independence, active lifestyle, and strong Christian faith. She credited her longevity to avoiding alcohol, staying busy, enjoying fresh air, and her religious beliefs. Even at an advanced age, she continued to participate in community activities, including attending Roman Catholic mass weekly. She was also one of the oldest people to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in December 2020.

Reed celebrated her milestone birthdays with cakes, cards from HM Queen Elizabeth II, and tea parties thrown by the care home staff. As a supercentenarian, she remained active and engaged, delighting in the company of her family and fellow residents. Her kindness and generosity were fondly remembered by many, including her contributions as a shop owner and her renowned grater cakes.

Reed passed away in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England, UK, on 8 July 2021 at the age of 111 years. Tributes poured in from the community, recognising her as an inspiration and a beloved figure. Her legacy of resilience, faith, and community spirit continues to be cherished by all who knew her.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Andrew Holmes and Finbarr Connolly, and validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 15 June 2020.

Reed was the oldest known living person born in Northern Ireland. According to Oldest in Britain, she was the seventh-oldest resident of the U. K. upon her death.