(KTXL) — A birthday celebration is coming up for a California woman who is the oldest documented, living person in the United States, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
Edith “Edie” Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli, of Willits, California, will turn 116 and be celebrated with a drive-by parade on Feb. 4.
“We’re hoping the weather is going to be cooperative so they can have her out and view the parade and the parade people can see her,” Evelyn Perisco said.
Ceccarelli is a pillar in the community, and her birthday in recent years has become a community tradition.
Born on Feb. 5, 1908, with Recagno as her maiden name, Ceccarelli is the second-oldest person in the world. The world’s oldest person is 116-year-old Maria Branyas of Spain, who was born in San Francisco, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Keenan surname comes from Ceccarelli’s first husband and her current last name is from her second husband.
Ceccarelli has lived in California her entire life. She was born and raised in the small town of Willits, which has a population of 4,988. She is the eldest of seven, and has outlived all of her siblings.
A large turnout is expected for Ceccarelli’s 116th birthday celebration, Perisco said.
“I think it’s going to be very well attended,” Perisco said. “Hard to put a number on it, but last year it went for a couple of hours.”
Perisco has known Ceccarelli since the latter was a centenarian, and has admired her over the years. She grew closer to Ceccarelli after spending time with her since her retirement.
Perisco married into Ceccarelli’s family. Her husband Lee Perisco and his brother Charles Perisco are Ceccarelli’s second cousins.
“She would ask ‘Why am I still here? I don’t understand it,’ and I said, ‘Edie, God has a plan for you,’” Perisco said. “My conclusion? I just feel she’s God’s chosen one”
