Nora was my favorite recipient of home delivered meals. She was 102 years old when she died recently.

She was very happy to get a hot, noon meal. She told me that mashed potatoes and gravy was her favorite dish. She had a hard time eating meat and other solid foods because of her dentures.

Nora lived in her own home all of her life. For many years since her husband died, she lived alone. She had a host of people checking in on her everyday. A homemaker, home delivered meals, family, and neighbors all made a point to pay a daily visit.

I was told she fell and broke a hip last winter. That didn’t stop her though, as she healed and return to her home before she died. She was a tough ole bird, I’d say.

It’s not unusual for older people to want to continue living in their own home for as long as possible. By far, Nora lived in her home longer than anyone I’ve ever known. And, she lived many years all alone. It’s amazing. Of course it takes an amazing person to accomplish such a feat.

I’ve known older people near her age who live with family, in an assisted living facility, and of course in nursing homes. Never have I seen or heard of anyone living in their own home, alone for as long as Nora did. Amazing, isn’t it?

The mission of the organizations by whom I have been employed have always been to help people to continue living safely in their own home for as long as possible. Nora took this mission to heart. I played just a small part in this accomplishment, and am proud to have served her.

She asked me one day about a year ago how old I thought she was. I told her she looked about ninety years old. She gleamed and said she was 101 years old. “Ah,” I said, “you don’t look a day over ninety!” She smiled and accused me of being silly.

When I recently got my list of meal participants to whom I was to deliver meals, I didn’t see her name on it and thought it was a mistake. Nora always got home delivered meals. Not this time. The torch has been passed to the next person on my list who is the oldest person living at home.

Yes, she lived alone at home. Yes, she was proud of her age and lifelong accomplishments. Yes, she was ready to go to heaven. But, I was very sad to learn of her passing anyway. Nora was my favorite recipient of home delivered meals.

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