Ethel Raney

Ethel Helena Raney (née Packard) (27 February 1905 – 12 May 2016) was an American supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). She was the oldest known person in Vermont, USA when she died.

Biography
Ethel Raney was born Ethel Helena Packard on 27 February 1905 in New Ashford, Massachusetts, USA, to parents Asa Samuel Packard and Ellen Laura (née White) Packard. She had seven siblings: Ernest, Herbert, Marion, Clifford, Roland, Clara, and Gerald, all of whom she outlived. She witnessed the Great Flood of 1927, but wasn't affected much by it since her home was atop a hill.

Ethel married tanner William Raney on 16 May 1934 and had seven children with him: William Jr., Elsie, Catherine, Ralph, Arthur, Arnold, and Martha. Her two eldest sons made her drive a tractor one day (the only time she ever did so). Ethel never drove a car nor rode a bike in her life. She walked everywhere, particularly to and from school, but also as an adult.

William Raney Sr. passed away in 1983 after 49 years of marriage. The following year, Ethel moved to North Bennington, Vermont, USA to live with her youngest daughter, Martha, and her husband, Tom Paquin.

Ethel, along with seven children, had 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, all seven of her siblings and five of her seven children.

Ethel Raney passed away on 12 May 2016 in North Bennington, Vermont, USA at the age of 111 years, 75 days. She was survived by two of her children (Arnold and Martha), all of her other descendants, many nephews, nieces, friends, and her puppy Davika.