BIOGRAPHY

Van Peenen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, on 29 January 1912, the daughter of Elsie and William Stafford. She had two brothers: Lavaine Stewart and Howard Emory. According to the Stafford Society website, she was likely a descendant of Sir Ralph Stafford, a 14th- and 15th-century English Member of Parliament. Research posted on the site suggests that his descendant, Thomas Stafford (c. 1605–1677), emigrated to Rhode Island, United States, in 1626, and she is a direct descendant of him.

Van Peenen was a dedicated educator who attended Kalamazoo Public Schools through high school before earning her bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College in 1933. She began her teaching career in 1950, working at Harding, McKinley, and Milwood elementary schools. In 1953, she furthered her education by earning a master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University.

Van Peenen met her future husband, Robert Hart Anderson, while they were both attending Kalamazoo College. They married in 1934 at the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City and had three children together: Robert Terry Anderson, Linda Kay Armstrong, and Jon Howard Anderson. Robert passed away in 1950 after a long illness.

After retiring, she longed to be closer to nature and found a property on Indian Lake near Vicksburg. While building her new home through Miller Lumber Company, she reconnected with an old friend from Kalamazoo College, Edward Van Peenen. They married on 14 July 1966, and enjoyed life at their lake home, as well as traveling together. Edward passed away at the age of 91. She later moved to Cary, North Carolina, to live with her daughter Linda and her husband.

In her free time, she was an active participant in the Sharing Table, a Bible study group at the First United Methodist Church of Cary. She also enjoyed being part of the Kalamazoo Bridge Club, as well as traveling and reading. For her 109th birthday, she was celebrated with a 60-car drive-by parade, seated in a large chair outside as decorated cars, escorted by police and fire trucks, passed by. On her 110th birthday, she traveled to Myrtle Beach, where 52 family members from across the country gathered to celebrate a three-day birthday event in her honor.

At 109, she enjoyed green tea daily—and a little red wine when the mood struck her. She remained active, regularly participating in Zoom meetings and Bible discussions with her church group. On her 110th birthday, when asked about the secret to her longevity, she replied: “I don’t have any secrets. But it’s been glorious and it’s a blessing. All of my family are just wonderful. So proud to be their mother.”

RECOGNITION

On 17 August 2022, following the passing of 112-year-old Annie Wilson of Charlotte, she became the oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of North Carolina, at the age of 110 years, 200 days.

Upon her passing, Catherine Ferrell succeeded her as the oldest (known) living person in North Carolina.

Her age was verified by Eli Logan and Stefan Maglov, and validated by LongeviQuest on 11 October 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* Virginia A. STAFFORD – Stafford Society

* “ ‘A light in this world:’ Vibrant Cary woman celebrates 109th birthday” – WRAL, 29 January 2021

* “Family celebrates grandmother’s 110th birthday in North Myrtle Beach” – WMBF News, 30 January 2022

* Virginia Stafford VanPeenen – Hudson Funeral Home (Durham)

GALLERY