Virginia “Ginny” Oliver is living proof that passion doesn’t retire. At 105 years old, she still climbs aboard lobster boats in Maine’s Penobscot Bay three times a week, working the traps just as she has since she was a little girl.
Her story began when she was only 8 years old, learning the trade with her family on the very same waters. More than nine decades later, she hasn’t slowed down. Side by side with her 80-year-old son Max, she hauls in lobsters with steady hands and a spirit that refuses to quit.
Ginny still lives on the same street where she was born. Her life is woven into the fabric of her small Maine town, where neighbors know her as more than just the oldest licensed lobsterwoman in the state—they know her as family.
Every Sunday, she opens her home for family gatherings. The table fills with baked beans, fresh bread, and homemade desserts. Laughter fills the rooms, and Ginny, with her twinkling blue eyes, reminds everyone that life is about showing up, giving, and sharing love.
When her doctor once asked why she continues to work at her age, Ginny didn’t hesitate. She smiled and said simply:
“Because I want to.”
Her words capture the essence of who she is—not a woman defined by age, but by spirit. To Ginny, lobstering isn’t just a job. It’s a calling, a rhythm of life, a reason to rise with the sun and greet the sea.
Her story continues to inspire young and old alike. She proves that staying active, following your passions, and keeping close to family are the true secrets to a long, meaningful life.
At 105, Virginia “Ginny” Oliver isn’t slowing down—she’s showing the world how to live.