Cecilia Gordils celebrates her 107th birthday at Manzanita Health Center, Carmichael. Activities staffers are Co Thai (left), Breanna Hawkins, Angela Heselton, Tessa Thompson and Jade Nguyen.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Cards by the cartload blessed the 107th birthday of Cecilia Gordils at the Manzanita Health Care Center last week.

A last survivor of seven siblings, the centenarian has lived at the skilled nursing home for four years and is, according to staffers, its oldest-ever resident.

“I never dreamed I would live to this age,” admitted Panama-born Gordils. “It seemed an impossibility.”

But there she was – 107 years old and swiping at a piñata.

Cupcakes, sparkling cranberry toasts and birthday-themed Bingo games were laid on for the birthday girl.

Among her earliest recollections was a visit to the newly opened Panama Canal. Her father feared she might fall in.

“I told him – oh, Papa, I’m quite safe,” Gordils recalled. “But he was terrified for me.”

La Familia Gordils came to California when Cecilia was a child. After Catholic school in San Francisco, her happiest years were spent during a long career with the Pacific Telephone Company.

Still proud of her appearance, Gordils eats carefully to maintain a trim figure. She applies makeup precisely, chooses outfits with flair and always sports a manicure.

A total of 117 birthday cards congratulate Cecilia Gordils on her 107th birthday. The centenarian has lived at Carmichael’s Manzanita Health Care Center for four years.

“She’s one of our best-dressed residents,” noted activities director Breanna Hawkins.

Gordils puts her long life and vitality down to family genetics (she also jokingly attributes longevity to her not having married or had kids).

Though a niece is her only living relative, friends she has in bulk. More than 117 birthday cards last week marked her triple-digit date.

Twenty cards came from students at Bella Vista High School. “The teenagers were amazed to hear about Cecilia,” said Bella Vista alumni Breanna Hawkins.  “I told them she’s a wonderful artist, who showcases her talent through embroidery and crocheting.

“She’ll give anything a try," continued Hawkins.  "The students and I agreed: Cecilia’s exactly how we'd love to be, if we ever reach her age."