Edith “Edie” Ceccarelli, believed to be the oldest living American, passed away at the age of 116 in California.
She was born in 1908 and lived a long, healthy life, inspiring others with her positivity and kindness.
“She was an inspiration to all of us on how to live a long healthy life,” birthday parade organizer Suzanne Picetti-Johnson said.
Edith “Edie” Ceccarelli, who recently celebrated her 116th birthday and was known as the oldest living American, has died pic.twitter.com/0D5vc8ZXe1
— News Breaking LIVE (@NBLNewsLIVE) February 28, 2024
“She loved people, she loved her community, she loved her family and stayed connected her whole life,” Picetti-Johnson added. “She showed us how to live.”
Ceccarelli’s secret to longevity was enjoying red wine with dinner and minding her own business.
“Have a couple of fingers of red wine with your dinner, and mind your own business,” Perla Gonzales of Holy Ghost Residential Care Home recalled Ceccarelli saying of her secret to a long life.
Gonzales added, “I think the secret was really her positivity, and her sincerity and kindness. I don’t think she ever thought bad about other people.”
She outlived her high school sweetheart and second husband, remaining active well into her later years.
With her passing, the title of the oldest living person in America now belongs to Elizabeth Francis of Texas.
