Louise Levy, a participant in a groundbreaking study on genetic factors contributing to long and healthy lives, passed away on July 17 at the age of 112. Despite her age, Mrs. Levy maintained good physical and cognitive health until she broke her hip two months prior to her death. After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, she unfortunately developed an infection that weakened her.
As one of the world’s six living supercentenarians, Mrs. Levy was admired for her positivity and the way people were drawn to her, much like babies. She resided in a senior living community in Rye, NY until the pandemic prompted her move to an assisted living facility.
Last year, during her birthday celebration, when asked about her longevity, Mrs. Levy humorously advised against trying to live to be 112 while expressing gratitude for her ability to speak and maintain her sense of humor. She held the title of the oldest known living person in New York State.
Mrs. Levy was part of a study conducted by the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. The research, which began in 1998, recruited over 700 individuals aged 95 or older to investigate the genetic factors behind their exceptional health and longevity. The study focused on Ashkenazi Jews, a genetically homogeneous population, and identified gene mutations associated with resistance to age-related diseases such as high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Nir Barzilai, the director of the research institute, emphasized that these individuals were not exceptional due to their lifestyle habits, as many of them engaged in unhealthy behaviors. The research aims to develop drugs that mimic the protective effects of the centenarians’ genes.
Louise Levy, originally Louise Morris Wilk, was born on November 1, 1910, in Cleveland. She later moved to New York City with her parents, where her father worked as a photographer and a movie theater manager.
After attending Hunter College, Louise married Seymour Levy in 1939. Seymour sold housewares for the company started by his father, and Louise became his office manager when he relocated the business to their home in Larchmont, NY. She continued working for the company until her 90s.
Despite her age-related decline in hearing, eyesight, and mobility, Louise remained active by participating in stretching classes, playing bridge, and knitting sweaters for hospitalized babies. Her low-cholesterol diet, positive attitude, and daily glass of red wine were contributing factors to her extended good health.
Louise Levy is survived by her daughter, Lynn Neidorf, her son, Ralph, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Lynn, who believes her own good health is influenced by similar genetic factors as her mother’s, described their differences in personality but shared the admiration she had for her mother’s acceptance and belief in her.
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