Lucia DeClerck, was born Jan. 25, 1916. She has outlived three husbands and three cardiologists, and didn't get her first cavity until age 99. She remains youthful by walking, drinking aloe juice daily, reading, and remaining active in her faith, watching Mass on television, and presiding over monthly Holy Communion sessions at her senior apartment complex in Manahawkin, where...
Lucia DeClerck, was born Jan. 25, 1916. She has outlived three husbands and three cardiologists, and didn't get her first cavity until age 99. She remains youthful by walking, drinking aloe juice daily, reading, and remaining active in her faith, watching Mass on television, and presiding over monthly Holy Communion sessions at her senior apartment complex in Manahawkin, where she lives in her own apartment.
In honor of her upcoming 100th birthday, her family held a special celebration and reunion in October 2015 to celebrate her life. Five generations were represented. Lucia received a Letter of Recognition from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and a signed picture and poster from Pope Francis in recognition of her 100 years.
Paula "Lucia" DeClerck (nee Lopez) was born in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. Lucia is the first member in her family to be granted citizenship by birth. Both of her parents were immigrants to Hawaii. Her mother's Portuguese family immigrated from Belize in 1912 and her Castilian father from Spain in 1915.
Although she attended grade school at Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu, she taught herself how to read and write, before moving with her mother to San Pedro, California. She later lived in Wyoming, Utah and Nevada before moving back to California.
In 1943 she married Henry Laws Jr., in Los Angeles. Lucia and Henry purchased a grocery story on Imperial Highway in Watts where they raised a family consisting of three boys - Henry III, Joseph, and Phillip.
She returned to Hawaii in 1963 and lived in Honolulu for many years. She moved to New Jersey to live with her oldest son and his wife shortly thereafter.