It was a wondrous afternoon in the life of Genevieve Marszalek, who turned 108 years of age this past Sunday. Family and friends gathered in Warren inside The Willows Assisted Living facility for a warm birthday party in her honor.

Born on Feb. 27, 1914, Genevieve is not your regular elderly resident. Despite her age, she acts a lot younger and is a joy to be around. She’s well-educated and knows everything that is happening in the world around her. On this particular birthday celebration, she was at her whimsical best.

“I can’t believe I’m still here,” she jests. “I guess God doesn’t want me.”

Certainly one of the oldest residents living here in the East Bay area, Genevieve, if one can imagine, was born at the same time Woodrow Wilson was sitting in the White House as this nation’s 28th president, and five months before the start of World War I. Think about that for a minute. This woman has seen it all, and done it all in style.

“I loved to travel when I was younger,” she pointed out. “I’ve been to many parts of the world. It’s been wonderful. And, the people here are just great.”

Born on Wood Street in Bristol, Genevieve is the daughter of the late Pasquale “Patsy” and Frances Pagnano. She also has one other sister (Patricia Fojo) living in Florida, and was also the sister of the late Helen Pagnano and Lucy Bruno. 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.

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.

She previously resided independently for many years all alone at Bristol’s North Farm. She now calls the Willows Assisted Living in Warren her home.

Genevieve may have slowed down a bit as one might imagine, but her vibrant personality continues to shine through.

“She’s an amazing lady,” echoed Tula Gatos, co-owner of Bristol House of Pizza where another party was held in her honor on Saturday. “We love her so much. We’ve given her a birthday party in each of the past seven years or so. She comes here regularly to eat during the year.”

Not until a few years ago, at age 102, did Genevieve decide it was time to quit driving.

“I figured at that age, it was time to give it up,” she said in an earlier interview.

And, to put everything into proper perspective, when she resided at North Farm, she had her own condominium where she climbed 27 stairs every single day. She never complained about anything and went through her daily routine without incident.

Mary Correia, a Med Tech at the Willows, says Genevieve has been a model citizen since coming to the Willows almost a year ago.

“She is the most awesome, funniest, and kindest woman you’d ever want to meet,” she declared. “She’s a great storyteller. There are days when she can run circles around me, and she’s the oldest person who lives here. She’s a tough cookie. She even survived Covid.”

As people were leaving once the party had ended, you could sense the appreciation and gratitude of it all in Genevieve’s eyes.

“These people are caring here,” she concluded. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”