N.J. woman, the oldest American, turns 114

A New Jersey woman who has been the oldest person in the United States since this summer turned 114 on Monday.

Adele Dunlap, a lifelong New Jersey resident who was born in Newark on Dec. 12, 1902, received balloons and a birthday serenade at the Hunterdon County nursing home where she lives, The Record reports.

The newspaper reported that Dunlap didn't appear to appreciate the attention: When asked about her birthday wish, she replied, "I've never thought of such a thing. I don't wish for anything."

Staff at the Country Arch Care Center in Pittstown told the newspaper that Dunlap was a "passive participant" in activities at the home, and enjoyed saying the rosary and musical presentations.

Earlier this month, the mayors of nearby Flemington and Clinton visited the center to celebrate her upcoming birthday.

Dunlap became the oldest American in July, after the death of Massachusetts resident Goldie Michelson.

She taught in the Kearny school district for several years before raising her three children, according to news reports. Her husband died in 1963, at age 61.

News stories over the years have marveled at Dunlap's longevity, but the supercentenarian says she has no secret.

"I just live, that's all," Dunlap told NJ.com in 2014, as she celebrated her 112th birthday.

Dunlap is considered the world's ninth-oldest person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The group lists Emma Morano-Martinuzzi of Italy, who is 117, as the world's oldest person. She was born on Nov. 29, 1899 and is the last known living person born in the 1800s.

After Dunlap, the next oldest American is Meta Dishman, a 113-year-old from Virginia who was born on June 1, 1903. The oldest Pennsylvanian is 113-year-old Delphine Gibson, who was born Aug. 17, 1903.