At 108 years old, Susan Young Browne continues to prove that age does not have to slow you down. Born in 1918 in Houston, Delaware, she grew up on a farm without electricity or running water before earning a degree in elementary education in 1945. She spent 30 years teaching children across Delaware, raised a family, and built a life centered on service, perseverance, and staying active.
Even today, Browne remains remarkably independent. She still drives herself after renewing her driver’s license through 2033 and exercises three times a week at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, where she has been a member since 1973. Every morning, she follows an exercise routine she has practiced for the past 20 years, explaining that after spending decades on her feet as a teacher, she never wanted to become someone who simply sits still. Friends at the center greet her with cheers, calling her the star of every workout class.
When asked about the secret to her extraordinary longevity, Browne keeps her answer simple: keep moving. She believes daily physical activity, a positive attitude, and staying engaged with life have helped her remain healthy well beyond her 100th birthday. She also became the oldest living alumna of Delaware State University, a milestone the university says may make her its longest-living graduate.
Susan’s story is an inspiring reminder that healthy aging is about more than numbers. Staying active, maintaining independence, and finding joy in everyday life can make a lasting difference. At 108, she still drives, exercises, laughs, and embraces each new day with grace—proving it’s never too late to keep moving forward.