One of those beneficiaries was Maria Aulenbacher, 111, the oldest known person in the state of South Carolina – and became one of the oldest people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday.
Aulenbacher lives with her daughter and son-in-law near the Blue Ridge Mountains, and two of her grandchildren and a great-grandchild live nearby.
Even so, she lived in Germany most of her life and moved to the United States shortly after her 100th birthday. Her family affectionately calls her “omi”, which means “grandma” in German.
The centenary is incredibly optimistic. She loves her family, reads and dozes, and has a daily ritual that she is convinced has increased her longevity.
“Everything is normal. I drink wine, I drink beer. I like what I like,” she said.
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Aulenbacher was a girl during the First World War and the 1918 flu pandemic. She was a widow in her 30s, more than 75 years ago.
The daughter and son-in-law said she needed to be strong.
“We look forward to seeing you go out every morning, cheerful, ready to have breakfast, a few cups of coffee and start the day,” said Doug Dickerson, Aulenbacher’s son-in-law.
Her daughter Birgit Dickerson said she felt her mother’s COVID-19 vaccination was part of her civic duty.
“Everyone needs to get this vaccine because, if we want to get over it, we all have to go and get the vaccine,” said Birgit Dickerson.
Aulenbacher is well aware that he is now an example.
“I am very happy to receive the photo,” she said.
Aulenbacher joked that he hopes to live as long as Methuselah, a biblical figure who lived until the age of 969.
“I really feel blessed to have it for so long and I hope to have it for many more years,” said Birgit Dickerson.
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