An American woman who became the world’s oldest person earlier this year has died at 116, a family member said Thursday.
The death of Jeralean Talley was confirmed to NBC News by Thelma Holloway, Talley’s 77-year-old daughter. Talley’s title had been verified by the Los Angeles based , gerontology research group which tracks supercentenarians. The Inkster, Mich., resident celebrated her birthday on May 23 and was fêted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Inkster, which also gave her $116—a dollar for each year of her life.
Talley was named the world’s oldest person in April after the two women who held the title before her died within the same week—Misao Okawa of Osaka, Japan, at 117, and Gertrude Weaver of Camden, Ark., at 116. Friends and family told TIME in the past that Talley had many hobbies, including fishing, bowling, making quilts, sewing dresses and—toward the end of her life—watching Jeopardy! andThe Ellen DeGeneres Show.
A lover of comfort foods like chicken wings and Hog Head Cheese (a combination of pigs’ ears and feet), Holloway did note that her mother stayed away from butter and cheese recently, though not for health reasons; Holloway added that a doctor said Talley was in good health during a check-up the week she turned 116.
Asked at the time about her secret to long life? Being kind to others and having faith in God.