Town has party for oldest woman in US as 116 year old shares secret to long life

08 February 2024 , 06:08

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Edie Ceccarelli celebrated truning 116 with the entire town (Image: Courtesy Of Suzanne Picetti)

America's oldest woman, Edie Ceccarelli, has celebrated her 116th birthday with a grand party thrown by her hometown of Willits in northern California.

Despite a winter storm threatening to spoil the fun, it stopped just in time for the parade.The town's residents took over preparations for her birthday bash, which included a parade featuring around 15 dogs led by the local dog walker, fire brigade trucks, and cars decorated with streamers and balloons. Even though she's dealing with dementia and is slow due to her age, Ceccarelli was thrilled to discover the parade was all for her.

The lady gasped, "Oh!" as her carer helped her look her best, including applying L'Oreal True Red lipstick. Sadly, after about ten minutes, she became too cold and tired and had to go back inside. However, the celebration continued with a parade of decorated cars. She's a well-known figure in her town, where she grew up amongst the big redwood trees.

READ. MORE: 'Oldest person in the world' who saw two world wars and 4 pandemics toasts 123rd birthday

Edie Ceccarelli got an entire parade, complete with puppies and marchers to celebrate her bday (Avenues To Wellness/Youtube)

After the special parade, many family members and friends queued up to wish her well. They took turns visiting due to the large number of people. Evelyn Persico, 83, who is related by marriage, said: "She is such a part of this community. So this is like, the third, fourth, fifth generation celebrating her," But she also added a note of sadness: "Many of her people have passed. So many of her old-timers are gone,"

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Edith Recagno, Ceccarelli's maiden name, was born in Willits on February 5, 1908 - the same year the famous Model T car came out. In fact, someone even drove an old Model T in her birthday parade. Ceccarelli was the eldest of seven children, her parents were Italian immigrants and lived into their 90s. Her father worked in lumber and briefly sold groceries from a horse-drawn wagon, as reported by the Guardian. She finished school in 1927 and later married her high school sweetheart, Elmer "Brick" Keenan, who worked at a newspaper. They adopted a daughter named Laureen, who had three children.

After losing her husband, she married Charles Cecarrelli, but he also passed away after four years. Now, Ceccarelli has outlived all of her immediate family. In 2012, at the age of 104, she lost her best friend and dance partner, Ed Burton. But she wasn't ready to stop dancing. So, she put a letter in the local paper.

Edie Ceccarelli pictured as a young child - she's outlived two husbands and most of her family (No credit)

"I, Edith Ceccarelli, would like to keep on dancing, as would have my late friend and dance partner Ed Burton, whom I miss beyond words," she wrote. "I am looking for a dance partner. Dancing keeps your limbs strong. What is nicer than holding a lovely lady in your arms and dancing a beautiful waltz or two-step together? Try it, you will like it." She ended the letter with her phone number. A few people responded, but none were the right fit. "I tried dancing with her a couple of times," said her second cousin Chuck Persico, 79. "But I couldn't keep up."

At the grand age of 109, she moved into a small senior living facility in Willits' Holy Spirit Residential Care Home. She shares her home with five other seniors and enjoys regular visits from cousins and friends. Her close friend Persico, who is part of her care team, came up with the idea to throw her a parade during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a way to celebrate her birthday while keeping a safe distance.

Edie Ceccarelli pictured here as a young woman in 1932 (No credit)

People often ask her what her secret is to living such a long life. Is it dancing, her Italian family genes, the clean air in northern California, or being near big old redwood trees? Her answer is usually "two fingers of red wine" and minding her own business.

Maria Branyas Morera, the oldest person in the world who lives in Spain but was born in California like her, agrees with this. She believes her longevity is due to "order, tranquillity, and good connection with family and friends". Taylor Day, one of her youngest family members at 29, also believes in this. She says, "A glass of red wine, and happiness."

S P Jones