Soledad Mexia | California's oldest, 114

Soledad Mexia, the oldest person born in Mexico, who also was California's oldest resident, died Friday, 17 days after celebrating her 114th birthday.

Mrs. Mexia died at the Silverado Senior Living Hospice, said Stephen Coles, a doctor with the Gerontology Research Group at the University of California Los Angeles.

Mrs. Mexia moved to the United States from Mexico when she was very young and become an American citizen, Coles said.

Her granddaughter, Rosalia Ferreira, said Mrs. Mexia loved to sleep. "She would go to bed at 9 or 10 and not wake until 12 or 1 the next day," Ferreira said. "Even when she was younger and alert, she always loved to sleep."

Mrs. Mexia was a homemaker most of her life. She didn't follow any special diet.

"But there was no junk food, I'll tell you that," Ferreira said. "It may have helped her keep her health."

She had "no health issues whatsoever," Ferreira added. "She never took one pill for anything."

In addition, Ferreira said, her grandmother had a "very positive outlook on life" and loved to sing.

The Gerontology Research Group is an organization of physicians, scientists, and engineers who validate supercentenarians, people 110 or older. The distinction of oldest California resident now goes to Opal Thompson, who is 112. - AP