Reyes María García Garcés, a resident of Yaiza who is affectionately called Maruca, turned 100 years old last January 6. She reached the century feeling much younger than she really is. "The other day an old man from Arrecife didn't believe my age," said this woman with a laugh, who showed that she maintains her sense of humor intact, according to the Yaiza City Council.
The centenarian grandmother, accompanied by several relatives, received a visit this Monday from the mayor of Yaiza, Gladys Acuña, and the councilor Óscar Noda, with whom she shared anecdotes from her recent and distant past. In the meeting, Maruca, who had three children, counted her thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, even mentioning the place where they currently live. "I am a hundred years old but I feel strong and much younger," she said.
Since her husband passed away, 28 years ago, she lives with one of her grandsons, José Luis Melián Farrás, who has taken care of her ever since. She has heartfelt words of gratitude for him: "There are few grandsons like José Luis in this life," she said. José Luis accompanies her during her daily routine, which includes a morning walk "when it's not too cold."
Maruca does not suffer from cholesterol and eats practically everything. Regarding food, she recalls that in her days as a farm worker they ate "gofio, chickpeas, lentils and little else." "Now people are in heaven," she said during the visit of the municipal officials.
When saying goodbye to the mayor, she took her crutches and decided to accompany her to the door of the house. "Maruca celebrated her centenary happily and surrounded by her family, the best Three Kings gift for her and for those who adore her," the City Council said in a statement.
