Laval resident Cicilia Laurent just celebrated what her family believes was her 120th birthday and is still going strong -- six years after moving to Canada.
She came to Quebec following the devastating earthquake that hit her native Haiti in 2010 and the destruction of records that were poorly kept in the first place is part of the reason verifying her age has been difficult.
The family has applied to Guinness Book of World Records to check whether Laurent is in fact the record holder, but Guinness says no supporting evidence was supplied with the application and that none of their officials are in Haiti investigating the claim.
The Guinness people currently have Susannah Mushatt Jones of New York, age 116, as the oldest person alive.
Regardless of whether her name appears in a book or not, Laurent is still going strong.
Her family says three of Laurent's 12 children are still alive, with the oldest now in her 80s. Devoutly religious, Laurent blesses everyone she meets.
"She prays a lot and she loves people," said her great-grandson Ronald Chery.
"She always tries to give love to everyone, give peace to everyone."
Meanwhile she gets regular visits from many people who live nearby, all of them eager to see a woman who was born in the 1800s.
When not talking with visitors Laurent watches cartoons, is learning how to use an iPad, and sews. She speaks only Creole; her family members translate for her.
Given she has no major health problems, has a positive outlook, and eats nothing but healthy food, her grandson feels she will continue to live for years to come, and likely become the oldest person who ever lived.
"Because she feels really great... She's a testimony, we can say that."
UPDATE: An earlier version of this story said Guinness is checking into whether Cicilia Laurent is the oldest living person. While Guinness has received an application to verify the claim, it is not in the process of looking into it.
