viernes, 11 de marzo de 2011

Yes, Still The Oldest Living Winter Resident In Vallarta!

By Edwin Treitler

Every year The Tribune prints an update on Elizabeth Theona Gauthier, our oldest living tourist in Puerto Vallarta. This year, Elizabeth will be 110 in June, and is still enjoying her winter vacations in Puerto Vallarta. Elizabeth told me, “I never realized I had so many friends. I thought I had friends at home but I have double here. I am treated so well in Mexico.”

Elizabeth is a now named a supercentenarian. A super centenarian (sometimes hyphenated as super-centenarian) is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. There are estimated to be 300–450 living supercentenarians in the world, though only about 90 individual verified living supercentenarians are known.

Only recently have the last years curtailed Elizabeth’s active life, but her mind is still attentive and active. Her recipe for happiness is to keep praying, especially in a Mexican taxi, and her strong Catholic faith.

Born in Grafton, Massachusetts in 1901, Elizabeth has traveled throughout the world and Mexico. Her constant companion and only son, Edgar, now 78, plans to celebrate his mother’s 110th year with a Mass in St. Peter’s Church in Northbridge, Massachusetts. Both President Barack Obama and George Bush have sent greetings to Elizabeth, who has appeared on the NBC’s “Salute to Centenarians” many times.

Elizabeth was born when President William McKinley was in office and during the Spanish American War. On her honeymoon in New York City in October 1928 she visited a rally for presidential candidate Al Smith, and has voted in presidential elections every year since then.

Elizabeth was born before automobiles, electricity, and airplanes. She has lived all her life in Massachusetts. Descendant from Arcadian and French ancestry, her advice for longevity is “never to sit in your rocking chair.”

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!
Ojala! We hope to see you next year!

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