Herlda Senhouse, a beloved and inspirational woman, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024 at the age of 113. Senhouse is the holder of Wellesley's Boston Post cane, which is given to the town's oldest resident. She was believed to be the oldest woman in New England and fourth oldest in the United States. Herlda is survived by four generations of nieces and nephews, and countless friends who loved and cherished her.

Senhouse was born in West Virginia on Feb. 28, 1911 to parents John and Belle Fairfax. By the time she was 6 years old, both of her parents and about half of her nine siblings had died. "We didn't have any adults to raise us, so we raised ourselves." Herlda was the youngest of the ten children. At age 16, Senhouse moved to Woburn to live with an aunt and uncle (John and Susan Saunders). In 1931, she became the first in her family to graduate high school when she earned her diploma from Woburn High. She was one of only two black students.

Herlda went into domestic work with her husband, William Senhouse (married in 1936). While civil rights leaders marched in the 1960s for equality and against racism, Senhouse showed her activism through jazz dance shows. She founded Boston's Clique Club, a social club of dancers and musicians to help educate Black students. Senhouse helped countless Black students pay for everything from books to college tuition through the Clique Club.

Herlda traveled the world extensively. Affectionately known as "Aunt Herlda", she enjoyed lunches and dinners with her close friends; loved old Western movies and Ella Fitzgerald; and was a fan of Encore Casino. Herlda's secrets to living a long, happy, and healthy life: "I didn't have children"; "do your best to resolve issues, but if you can't fix it, forget it, and let it go. That's how you get through life. You have to limit stress."

A Celebration of Herlda's life will be held at 11:00 am, December 21, 2024 at the Myrtle Baptist Church, 21 Curve Street, Newton, MA.