The world's oldest person, a Japanese woman, dies at 117

[TexasTowelie]

TOKYO — The world's oldest person, a Japanese woman, died Wednesday, a few weeks after celebrating her 117th birthday.

Misao Okawa died of heart failure and stopped breathing as relatives and nursing home workers stood by her side and praised her for achieving a long, healthy life, said Tomohiro Okada, an official at her Osaka nursing home.

"She went so peacefully, as if she had just fallen asleep," Okada said. "We miss her a lot."

A 116-year-old American woman, Gertrude Weaver of Arkansas, is now the world's oldest person, according to Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which keeps records of supercentenarians. She was born July 4, 1898.

Read more: http://www.mrt.com/statenation/article_704583ea-d8cc-11e4-8849-ff0b2cf928a1.html

[shenmue]

1. I has a sad

[jberryhill]

3. This happens quite frequently

Usually, the world's oldest person passes away every couple of months.

The world's youngest person, however, was born tens of thousands of times today alone.

[ND-Dem]

2. The new champion and her 93 year old son.

Gertrude Weaver, right, talks with her son Joe Weaver at Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Camden, Ark., a day before her 116th birthday. (AP/Danny Johnston)