Woman, age 107, knows the secrets of health and longevity, including a big, happy family

Family, faith, and a love of dressing up are all central to the life of Mary Thomas, a remarkable centenarian who recently celebrated her 107th birthday surrounded by six generations of her family. Born on Feb. 14, 1918, during the tumultuous times of World War I, Thomas has been described as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and love.

Nicknamed “Mama,” Mary Thomas is a fashionable great-great-great-grandmother who enjoys dressing up and wore all white for her special birthday celebration at her home in Stonebridge, London. Surrounded by her loved ones, she radiated joy and elegance in her fur-rimmed hat as family members baked cakes shaped like the numbers one, zero, and seven.

Despite losing her husband 30 years ago, Mary Thomas has led an extraordinary life filled with love and adventure. Born in Dunbarton, Jamaica, she moved to the U.K. 32 years ago and married her husband Charlie Thomas, with whom she had eight children. Today, she is blessed with 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and five great-great-great-grandchildren.

While her long life has been marked by joy, there have also been moments of sadness. Mary Thomas lost four children in infancy, which has added a bittersweet quality to her journey. However, her family describes her as a strict yet loving grandmother, whose exceptional memory and ability to recite scripture without prompting astounds all who know her.

At her birthday celebration, which was filled with joy, laughter, and heartwarming tributes, Mary’s family marveled at the strong bonds that have united six generations. From her great-great-grandchildren to her great-great-great-grandchildren, every member of the family cherished the opportunity to spend time with their beloved matriarch.

As the world celebrates remarkable individuals like Mary Thomas and the soccer-loving nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who is believed to be the oldest living person at nearly 117 years old, it is clear that faith, family, and a positive outlook on life are key to a long and healthy existence. Mary Thomas’s story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that unite generations.