Nashua Woman Beats COVID-19 at Age 102, and She Survived the Spanish Flu as a Child

Talk about a survivor! Mildred “Gerri” Schappals must have some good genetics and a great attitude about life to have survived both COVID-19 AND the Spanish Flu pandemic.

Where there is a will there is a way. T

he Nashua woman credits her longevity to living each day to its fullest and not sweating the small stuff, according to reporting by WMUR.com.

Gerri Schappals’ daughter, Julia Schappals, tells WMUR.com about her mother’s bout with the Spanish Flu 100 years ago:

“She was only about 10 months old when she had it. The doctor had given up on her and said that she would likely die.  She had a high fever.”

 

But she went on to survive and thrive.

Gerri went on to college and became a teacher in Nashua, according to WMUR, and she also married and had two children. The news station reported that in addition to surviving two pandemics, she is also a two-time cancer survivor: she beat breast cancer in her 60s and colon cancer in her 70s.

Fortunately, she did not suffer greatly from COVID-19, according to WMUR.

Gerri Schappals is made of some tough stuff.  She is an inspiration to me.  If life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

I do stress over small stuff and this story has made me appreciate life a little more.  Maybe I can slow down and enjoy life a little more and make each day sweeter.

Thank you Mildred “Gerri” Schappals for the inspiration!