At the age of 103 years, 249 days, Gasque is the longest-lived member of Congress ever, a record that still stands as of 2023.
U.S. House of Representatives
Gasque was elected to the House of Representatives on September 13, 1938, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Allard Henry Gasque. She never actually attended Congress, which was not in session during her months of office.
Gasque was not a candidate for renomination. After her tenure in Congress, she was an author and lecturer.
Personal life and death
The Social Security death records state that Gasque was born in 1893, under her later married name of Van Exem.[1] However, census records support the 1886 birth year.