A real milestone - World’s oldest person dies

Science, especially geriatric medicine, wealth, security, and public heath systems have made the description of a reasonable life offered by the Psalms — The days of our years are threescore years and ten — seem little more than a prelude.

Seventy, if a person is reasonably able and has material security, can now seem a starting point. That is especially so for those reinvigorated by today’s opportunities to retire at an age that was unimaginable even a generation ago. Despite all of that, time will prevail and mortality will intrude.

On Saturday, Emma Morano, aged 117, who was believed to be the world’s oldest person, died. She was the last person alive who was born in the 19th century. Morano was born on November 29, 1899, more than two decades before we achieved independence.