Many people dream of meeting their grandchild or even great-grandchild, but lifelong Northeast resident Esther Lyons has been particularly lucky. The oldest living of six generations, the 104-year-old recently saw the birth of her great-great-great-grandchild.
Lyons was born and raised in Holmesburg and hasn’t moved far from the neighborhood in over a century, said her granddaughter Sherry Nelson, who lives in Lansdale. Esther was excited about the news, if a little perplexed.
“Even she is getting confused about how many descendants she has,” Sherry said with a laugh.
The answer is 27, to be exact. She has two children, five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and one newly born great-great-great-grandchild.
Laila was born Dec. 22 in Texas, where half of the family lives. The other half stays in the Northeast Philadelphia area.
What’s Esther’s secret to a long life?
“She always eats healthy,” Sherry said. She grew up in a family that immigrated from Biccari in southern Italy and they always grew their own vegetables.
May she spread her wisdom to many more great-great-great-grandchildren.
