It’s not every day you get a chance to rub elbows with a 105-year-old lady, who looks and acts a lot younger than that.

Recently, Genevieve Marszalek celebrated her 105^th birthday with family and close friends by her side. On this particular occasion, she was taken to Bristol House of Pizza, one of her favorite places to dine, by her longtime caregiver, Jackie Teixeira. It was another moment to remember in this fashionable woman’s life. Genevieve is most certainly on an historic pace at the moment. And, she’s sharp as a tack.

According to a recent study, just 1 in 5,000 people are lucky enough to reach their 105th birthday. So, Genevieve is in some pretty select company.

Unbeknown to Genevieve, local entertainer Doug Botelho was asked to stop in and serenade the birthday girl with a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday,” along with everyone else in attendance at Bristol House of Pizza. Needless to say, she was ecstatic.

“I was honored to do this for her,” Mr. Botelho said later. “She seems like a wonderful woman. As a matter of fact, she’s a lot like my own mother, who’s in her ninetie.”

“I just came here for a piece of pizza,” said Genevieve upon her arrival, “and look at all these people here.”

A North Farm resident, Genevieve Marszalek seems to get younger with age.

“Genevieve stops here to have lunch regularly,” said Bristol House of Pizza co-owner Tula Gatos. “She is such a joy to have around. We love her.”

Born on Wood Street on Feb. 27, 1914, Genevieve is the daughter of the late Pasquale “Patsy” and Frances Pagnano. She also has two other sisters living in Florida, and was also the sister of the late Helen Pagnano and Lucy Bruno.

To put things in perspective, Genevieve was born just five months before the start of World War I. She later married her husband, Joseph Marszalek, an FBI agent for a number of years, and together, traveled throughout the United States while he worked on the job.

“I lived all over the country,” Genevieve recalled, “and we came back to Bristol in 1983. We spent the winter months in Florida and summers here in Bristol.” For the past 50 years or so, Genevieve has resided on Sea Breeze Lane, where’s she lived alone and spent time enjoying reading and sharing her time with Jackie Teixeira.

Genevieve was also a teacher at Guiteras School and loved being around kids who were thirsting for knowledge. There’s not much that Genevieve hasn’t enjoyed doing.

Jackie Teixeira, wife of  Town Councilman Antonio “Tony” Teixeira, says caring for Genevieve on a regular basis has been a wonderful, enriching experience.

“I’ve been caring for Genevieve since she was 99 years old,” said Jackie, “but it was interesting what happened during the interview process with her. She said to me, ‘I’ll try you for two weeks, and if I don’t like you, you’re gone.’ I guess she likes me after five years.”

Besides living alone, Genevieve reportedly climbs 21 stairs a day up to the second floor of her home and gets around pretty well for a lady her age.

“She’s very opinionated,” added Jackie. “She tells it like it is. She’s very stubborn. But, we all love her. I feel like she’s a mother to me. She’s with me all the time. I take her everywhere. She goes to the library once a week and gets eight books each week. She loves to read. She only watches the news and weather on TV.”

Until three years ago, Genevieve was still driving a car and enjoying her independence.

“I was 102 when I stopped driving,” she confirmed. “It was time for me to stop driving. Now, Jackie takes me everywhere.”

“Jackie has been wonderful to me,” said Genevieve. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

During her most recent birthday celebration, Genevieve enjoyed chicken wings, pizza, onion rings, French fries, and of course, a special birthday cake and ice cream, served up by the Gatos family and staff. She doesn’t smoke or drink and lives life to the fullest.

Asked if she had to watch what she eats as she’s gotten older, Genevieve immediately snapped back, “I eat everything. Evidently, I’m still here.” As only a true centenarian would remark.