California’s oldest resident dies at 114

September 2, 2013

The oldest person in California and the fifth oldest person in the world died last week at the age of 114. [Union Tribune]

Soledad Mexia died August 29 in a Chula Vista Care facility, 17 days after she celebrated her 114th birthday.

Mexia was born as Soledad Bonillas on August 13, 1899 in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. She was 10-years-old at the start of the Mexican Revolution.

In her 20s, Mexia moved temporarily with her husband to Los Angeles and Phoenix. She returned to California permanently in the early 1960s following the death of her husband, moving in with her children in southern San Diego County.

Mexia lived with some her children until she moved into the Fredricka Manor in 2011. She outlived three of her seven children.

Mexia is survived by four children, 23 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

“She lived an easy life. She always ate healthy food, none of this fast food we always eat. And she loved to sleep,” said granddaughter Rosalia Ferriera.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, the oldest person in the world is 115-year-old Misao Okawa, of Japan. Three American women follow at age 114 and were all born within three months of Mexia.