General

At 113, oldest known Canadian, Cora Hansen, dies in Medicine Hat

Cora Hansen lived long enough to see three different centuries. She was alive during the First World War, the Great Depression, the Second World War, the rise of rock and roll, the fall of the Berlin Wall and whatever else happened between March 25, 1899 and April 18, 2012. Hansen passed away Wednesday at the Valley View Retirement Community in Medicine Hat, Alta. At 113, she was Canada’s oldest known citizen.

Hansen once credited her longevity to the fact that she lived “a plain life,” avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, and taking regular walks, CTV reports. She was born in Minnesota, but later moved to Alberta, riding a horse-drawn carriage to the family’s homestead 100 years ago. Hansen became Canada’s oldest known citizen in December 2011, after Sim Ying Fung, 112, died at a hospital in Burnaby, B.C.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: