Capitola woman celebrates 103rd birthday Thursday

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV) -- One woman in Capitola celebrated a very special birthday on Thursday and it is a birthday that reached triple digits.

While most people aim to live to be a hundred, Marcie Parks exceeded that goal.

"I am 103 years old today," Parks said. "I've seen the world change a lot."

Parks grew up in Utah and lived all over the world; including Japan. She moved to Capitola about 10 years ago, and while she may be 103 today, she not only plays competitive bridge, she cooks, drives and lives alone. 

Claudia Schlachter, Park's daughter, said like all children, she worries about her mom as she gets older, but has truly watched her maintain her independence. 

"You know, lots of times your parent dies before you really spend that kind of time with her though," Schlachter said. "It has been honestly such a gift just to kind of be with her now at this age"

During the celebration, Parks recalled how the world has changed in her hundred years.

"I try to think back where I was raised in a small town in Utah," Parks said. "We did not have a phone and it became necessary for someone in my family to use the power they had to get in the car and drive down to the drugstore."

She also was not shy with advice for anyone looking to get to her age.

"Enjoy life as much as you can. Drink a cup of coffee every morning and take as many trips as you can," Parks said. "You have to eat the right kind of food to keep your body healthy...because if your body isn't healthy your mind isn't healthy, pay attention to politics but don't become too involved, read the best books, take time to rest...when you get tired...rest."