Matsunaga marked her 97th birthday with friends and relatives at the Aging Office.
“I am very happy that I reached this age,” Matsunaga said in a statement she relayed to translator Rita S. Camacho, a volunteer at the Manamko center.
Matsunaga was born on July 31, 1913 in Guam. Her father is Japanese and her mother is Chamorro.
“I worked at the officer’s club and at the military store,” recalled Matsunaga who was blessed by a son whom she named as “Minora.”
Last Friday’s celebration was a very special one, according to Aging Office acting director Rose Mondala because Matsunaga was afforded all exceptional talents by the senior citizens.
Senior citizens treated Matsunaga with delectable food, entertainment and traditional songs and dances.
Mondala said Matsunaga is a regular at the Aging Office and she loves playing bingo.
“I can’t stop going to the center. If I stop and stay at the house I easily got sick,” Matsunaga said.
Despite the proddings of her great grandchildren to stay home, Matsunaga insisted coming to the center to join her fellow senior citizens.
She currently lives with her grandsons–George and Ramon Matsunaga–in Susupe.
She admitted though that she is now having problems remembering people’s names.
When asked about her birthday wish, Matsunaga said she has none. She said she is thankful for all the people who are showing her love and affection, especially her family.
She has 15 great-grandchildren, according to Isabel Matsunaga, her namesake and grand-daughter who joined her birthday celebration.
The young Matsunaga said they were very happy to see their generation’s matriarch still alive at her age.
“We hope she will have many more birthdays to come. We love her so much,” she said.
Matsunaga said the secret to a long life is eating healthy food and regular exercise.
“Take care of yourself. Always stay healthy by eating the right food. Be kind always and don’t do to others if you don’t want others do to you,” she said.
