Edith “Edie” Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli, America’s oldest living person, is having a birthday party like no other in the cute town of Willits in northern California. She is turning an amazing 116 years old. The life of this amazing woman shows how to be strong, work hard, and look beautiful.
Every year on Edie’s birthday, her city celebrates, and this year’s events look like they will be one to remember. On Sunday, February 4, there will be a big parade through town. It will include volunteers from the Boy Scouts, the fire and police departments, city workers, and even the vice mayor. People who live in or visit the area can join the party by putting balloons, flags, and ribbons on their cars.
The parade’s lead organiser, Suzanne Picetti, stresses how important it is to make Edie feel loved on her special day. “Every year at her birthday, we make sure she knows how special she is,” she adds. Edie can’t wait to eat her favourite carrot cake and strawberry ice cream and then take a well-earned nap.
The party for the birthday has become a beloved event in the town, making everyone happy. Friends and family of Edie have made sure that everyone is welcome to join in the fun. “It brings community together to celebrate a really special human being,” she says.
Edie was born in Willits in 1908 and has lived in northern California her whole life. In the early 1900s, her parents, who were Italian refugees, moved to Willits. Edie is the oldest of seven children and has lived longer than all of them. Being a child who helped her family make money to now being a grandmother who raised a daughter is a story of hard work and strength.
Even though Edie is 100 years old, people still admire her excellent sense of style. Her favourite things to do are dance, cook, yard, and walk. She has had a lot of love, fun, and new experiences in her life.
The town of Willits is coming together to celebrate Edie’s amazing journey. We honour her life and memory. Come celebrate Edie’s 116th birthday with us this Sunday, rain or shine. It will be a memorable day.
