GEORGETOWN — She doesn’t know why she’s still ticking, but Francis Llewellyn says life is still good when you’ve lived an entire century.
“Life is worth living,’’ said the happy centenarian. “I enjoy it every day.”
And so do the residents of the Kings County capital who hosted a big birthday bash for her here Wednesday at the Kings Playhouse.
The parking lot and streets were full of cars as hundreds and hundreds of well-wishers lined up to bring flowers and greetings to the feisty woman who still lives on her own, shovels snow from her steps and has never been on an airplane.
“She’s nothing short of amazing,’’ said Melvina Blackett from Annandale. “But she always keeps active and uses her body.”
She and Francis married first cousins and have been fast friends for the past 65 years.
Son Tom Llewellyn, who retired home after 34 years in Ontario, said his mother’s only prescription for longevity was hard work.
“My father was a fisherman and mom usually became seasick on the boat, but she worked hard every day,’’ he said. “She never smoked and she never drank and she loved working in her garden.”
There was a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister, visitors from across the province, and enough food to feed an army — not to mention a giant birthday cake.
“She used to shovel her own driveway up until this past year,’’ said nephew Peter Llewellyn. “And she even painted her deck while in her 90s. She’s just keeps on ticking.”
She stays pretty close to home, but has been to Ontario, and is now the same age as the Kings County capital that marked 100 years of incorporation last year.
Marie Wood, who helped organize the party, said Francis is the most well-known face in the town and has always been active in the community.
“She makes it her motto to keep involved,” said Wood.
