Family, faith, and a passion for dressing up are significant elements of one centenarian’s extraordinary life—yet her more than a century on this planet has brought some surprises too.
A remarkable great-great-great-grandmother, described as “a testament to resilience, adaptability, and love,” recently marked her 107th birthday surrounded by loved ones. Mary Thomas, born on February 14, 1918—during the ongoing World War I—celebrated her special day at her home in Stonebridge, a borough in London.
Known affectionately as “Mama,” the family matriarch enjoyed the company of six generations during her celebration. Family members baked cakes shaped as a one, a zero, and a seven in honor of her age. According to news agency SWNS, Thomas donned an elegant all-white outfit complete with a fur-rimmed hat for the occasion, showcasing her love of fashion.
Family friend Patricia Wharton described the gathering as full of “joy, laughter, and heartwarming tributes.” “Mary’s journey through life has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Wharton remarked as covered by SWNS. Thomas’s husband passed away three decades ago, and though she moved from Dunbarton, Jamaica, to the U.K. 32 years ago, she often returned to visit her homeland.
Mary and her late husband Charlie raised eight children together, and today, she is the proud grandmother of 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and five great-great-great-grandchildren. Despite the passage of time, she fondly remembers her late husband, Wharton noted.
However, while her family surrounds her with love, Thomas’s extensive life has faced moments of sorrow. She gave birth to a total of 12 children, but four of them tragically passed in infancy, according to SWNS. On her birthday, her children and grandchildren continuously checked in to ensure she was happy and enjoying her celebration. Attendees were amazed by her remarkable memory and her ability to recite scripture effortlessly.
Wharton described how the grandchildren view “Mama” as a “strict, no-nonsense grandmother.” She added, “Mary’s family came together to celebrate not only her incredible age but also the legacy of love and resilience she has cultivated.” The gathering was a powerful reminder of the strong bonds uniting six generations of their family.
Among those celebrating was an elected official from the London borough of Brent, who also participated in honoring Thomas. In a broader context, a soccer-loving nun from Brazil, Inah Canabarro Lucas, is currently recognized as the world’s oldest living person, believed to be nearly 117 years old, attributing her longevity to her unwavering Catholic faith.
Experts in longevity emphasize that maintaining a long, healthy life involves key elements such as proper nutrition, physical activity, appropriate medications, essential supplements, and quality sleep.
Reporting contributions were made by Melissa Rudy and Sarah Rumph-Whitten of Fox News Digital. Maureen Mackey serves as the managing editor of lifestyle for Fox News Digital.
