Second-oldest US resident Herlda Senhouse dies at 113 years old: ‘She was truly an inspiration to so many’

Herlda Senhouse, the second-oldest resident in the US, died in her sleep on Saturday at 113 years old.

Senhouse died at her home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she had lived for the last four decades, Wellesley Public Information Officer Stephanie Hawkinson said.

Even when she was well into her hundreds, Senhouse was an active member of the Wellesley community and relished in every moment she had, Hawkinson said.

“She never missed an opportunity to learn more, do more, experience more,” she said.

Hawkinson was a steadfast friend of Senhouse’s, having met at her 108th birthday and continued to celebrate with her each year after.

Senhouse was born on Feb. 28, 1911, in Piedmont, West Virginia, but was sent to live with her aunt in Woburn, Mass. soon after. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and intended to pursue nursing in 1931 but was turned away from the school she applied to after it had met its quota of two black students, according to the Boston Globe.

From there, Senhouse pivoted to housekeeping and worked for several families over the years. She also founded the Boston Clique Club, a social club of dancers and musicians that endeavored to raise money to improve educational opportunities for black students in the city.

As her exceedingly long lifespan continued to baffle scientists, she enrolled in the New England Centenarian Study at 105 years old. The study aims to figure out how people like Senhouse age so slowly while delaying or even outright escaping aging-related disease.

On top of her dedication to the study, Senhouse also decided to give her brain to researchers following her passing, Hawkinson said.

Hawkinson said Senhouse often attributed her longevity to never having children. She was never alone, though, and surrounded herself with a strong community of friends, family, and members of her church, Hawkinson said.

“She was truly an inspiration to so many in our community,” she said.

Senhouse’s remarkable life spanned many of the most consequential times in American history, including both World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and two pandemics.

Her record is just barely topped by Naomi Whitehead, a 114-year-old who lives in Greenville, Pa.

With Post wires