Happy Birthday, Edie! America's oldest woman, 116, celebrates - and reveals the secret to a long happy life: 'Red wine and minding my own business'

America's oldest woman celebrated her birthday in style despite California's stormy weather with a parade in her hometown of Willits. 

Edie Ceccarelli turned 116 on February 5 - making her the oldest person in the United States, the oldest-ever person in California and even the second oldest person in the world.

A hometown parade was organized in Willits, Mendocino County, where dozens of vehicles drove by Edie's residential care home to wish the supercentenarian a happy birthday. 

In the past, Edie has taken it upon herself to host huge birthday bashes - inviting the whole community to join in the celebrations at local events halls or senior centers. 

For the past few years, her community has taken over the hosting responsibility by organizing the parade in her honor.

America's oldest woman celebrated her birthday in style despite California's stormy weather with a parade in her hometown of Willits

Edie Ceccarelli turned 116 on February 5 - making her the oldest person in the United States, the oldest-ever person in California and even the second oldest person in the world

A hometown parade was organized in Willits, Mendocino County, where dozens of vehicles drove by Edie's residential care home to wish the supercentenarian a happy birthday

When asked for her secret to a long life, Edie usually responds 'two fingers of red wine' and minding her own business

Edie was born in 1908, when Theodore Roosevelt was president and a dozen eggs cost just fourteen cents. She was born to Italian immigrant parents, who also lived well into their 90s, and was the eldest of seven siblings

'She is such a part of this community. So, this is like, the third, fourth, fifth generation celebrating her,' Evelyn Persico, 83, a cousin by marriage told The Guardian.

'Many of her people have passed. So many of her old-timers are gone,' Persico said. 

This year's parade was kicked off by the local dog walker, along with 15 dogs, followed by the fire brigade, the garbage truck and a line of local cars. 

She was serenaded by a trio of local musicians, and local officials presented a proclamation to honor her long life.  

Edie was born in 1908, when Theodore Roosevelt was president and a dozen eggs cost just fourteen cents. 

She was born to Italian immigrant parents, who also lived well into their 90s, and was the eldest of seven siblings.

Edie married her high school sweetheart, Elmer 'Brick' Keenan, and the pair adopted a daughter who had three children of her own. 

After her husband's death, she remarried Charles Ceccarelli for four years before he died. 

She has now outlived all of her immediate family members. 

When asked for her secret to a long life, Edie usually responds 'two fingers of red wine' and minding her own business.  

'It's now kind of touch and go with Edie,' Perla Gonzalez, who operates the quaint Willits care home with her husband, said several days before the parade

Members of the Central Mendocino County community attached signs, balloons and hearts to their cars to commemorate the record-breaking occasion

In the past, Edie has taken it upon herself to host huge birthday bashes - inviting the whole community to join in the celebrations at local events halls or senior centers, but for the past few years, neighbors and friends have organized the celebrations 

This year's parade was kicked off by the local dog walker, along with 15 dogs, followed by the fire brigade, the garbage truck and a line of local cars. She was serenaded by a trio of local musicians and local officials presented a proclamation to honor her long life

The birthday girl sat at a table in the warmed garage, bundled up to brace the current extreme weather conditions in California and decked out for her birthday as the cars drove by

The birthday girl sat at a table in the warmed garage, bundled up to brace the current extreme weather conditions in California and decked out for her birthday as the cars drove by. 

'I'm delighted that we get to celebrate her another year!' declared Suzanne Picetti-Johnson, coordinator of the parade told The Press Democrat. 

Members of the Central Mendocino County community attached signs, balloons and hearts to their cars to commemorate the record-breaking occasion.

'The civic pride is so tremendous for her longevity and the way she's lived her life,' Mendocino County Supervisor John Haschak said as he watched from the soaking sidewalk.

Edie has been an extraordinarily healthy, smart dresser who loves to dance and go on long walks through her town for decades - but she has recently shown signs of decline.

'It's now kind of touch and go with Edie,' Perla Gonzalez, who operates the quaint Willits care home with her husband, said several days before the parade.  

'Last week was the very first time that she didn't want to eat breakfast,' Gonzalez said. 'And she is sleeping a little more, even during the day.' 

Edie, pictured here in her youth, has been an extraordinarily healthy, smart dresser who loves to dance and go on long walks through her town for decades - but she has recently shown signs of decline

After Edie's birthday on Monday, there will be just two 116-year-olds on the planet, with only 30 people reaching the age ever

While Edie used to rely on one caretaker, recently she has needed two employees at Holy Spirit Residential Care Home to help her, Gonzalez said.

After Edie's birthday on Monday, there will be just two 116-year-olds on the planet, with only 30 people reaching the age ever. 

The oldest person in the world is 116-year-old Maria Branyas, who lives in Spain. 

Nine of the world's 10 oldest people are women, according to scientists for the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group.

Juan Vicente Perez Mora, 114, of Venezuela is the only man who currently sits at number five on the World’s Oldest list.

America's oldest man is Los Angeles resident Morrie Markoff, who is 110 years old. 

Markoff only recently became the eldest male in the US after Francis Zouein sadly died on January 24, 2023.