Ruth Touschner

BIOGRAPHY

Touschner was born as Ruth V. Huffmaster in Dushore, Pennsylvania, on 21 November 1912. She was one of three children born to George Huffmaster (1871–1925) and Anna Kinser (1878–1985), and was of Dutch descent. She attended school until eighth grade and then went to work at a local silk mill, continuing to live with her mother and sister on a farm after her father died when she was 13. She grew up Lutheran, but converted to Catholicism after marrying her husband, Vincent F. Touschner, in 1932.

In 1940, Touschner and her husband moved from Dushore to Elmira, New York. They got jobs at Elmira Knitting Mills, and also served as caretakers at their local church. They had two sons, both now deceased. Her mother passed away in 1985, aged 106. Touschner was widowed in 1988. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, and gardening.

Touschner moved in to an Elmira nursing home in May 2018, when she was 105. She died on 20 April 2023 at the age of 110 years, 150 days. At the time of her death, she had five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

(Biography sourced from Gerontology Wiki)

RECOGNITION

Touschner was first noted for her longevity at the age of 106. For her 107th birthday, her wish to hold a baby was granted. She was reported at the age of 109, then not until her death.