A 114-year-old Nebraska woman who has taken the title of America�s oldest living person says what she wants most is to eat with her friend after a year of pandemic restrictions.

Thelma Sutcliffe, of Omaha, became the nation�s oldest living person and seventh-oldest in the world on April 17 when Hester Ford, a 115-year-old woman, died in North Carolina, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Sutcliffe was born on Oct. 1, 1906. Her longtime friend, Luella �Lou� Mason, said she is happy that the senior living center where Sutcliffe lives is locked down, but �Thelma is as determined as ever to do what she wants to do.�

Until visitors are allowed in the dining room, Thelma is taking all her meals in her room. Mason, who has Sutcliffe�s power of attorney, calls the senior living center 24 hours ahead of time to schedule visits.

�She asks me every time I visit, �Are you going to eat with me today?�� Mason recalled. �It breaks my heart that I can�t.�

Sutcliffe�s hearing and sight are fading, Mason said, but her mind is still �very sharp.�

Sutcliffe received her COVID shots at the earliest opportunity, but testing for the coronavirus was a nonstarter.

Mason said Sutcliffe looked at the swab and said, �You�re not going to be sticking that thing up my nose. You can tell Lou to stick it up hers.�

(AP)