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Camden County Woman Celebrates 106th Birthday

WEST BERLIN, N.J. (CBS) -- The secret to a long and happy life is a matter up for debate. But one local woman says the answer is clear, and she should know, Tuesday night she celebrated her 106th birthday.

Lucia Taraquino has lived for more than a century.

"I never knew that I would live this long," said Taraquino, after blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, once again at the age of 106 surrounded by those she loves.

When asked how many grandchildren she had, Taraquino replied "I stopped counting after a while."


So, what is the secret to living a long and healthy life, Lucia says you have to have your cake and eat it too.

"I've lived a long life because I worked hard, very hard."

Lucia worked hard in her younger years and now she likes her rest.

"She likes to sleep in, she got up at 5 o'clock her whole life, worked really hard, had to be at work and raise the children," said Felicia Angeline, one of Lucia's grandchildren.

And the extra sleep seems to be paying off. Her family says that at age 106, she's very healthy and see are looking forward to celebrating when she turns 107 next year.

Reported by Valerie Levesque, CBS 3

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