Henry Ford set a new car speed record of 91.37 mph and Frederick Henry Royce met Charles Stewart Rolls to discuss a Rolls-Royce agreement.

The year was 1904 and it was the year Roseannie Lousie Wilson was born — and yesterday she celebrated her 104th birthday. The bubbly senior attributes her secret of longevity to 'hard work' and that's exactly what her resume would show if she were to go for a job these days.

Ms. Wilson is a former seamstress, cook, companion and most notably fashion model.

She said that in her early years there were no mannequins so she, along with her 18 ins waist, used to model for many of the stores on the Island and other dress makers.

She has lived and worked in the United States as a companion, and she also worked at the former Inverurie hotel and the Horizon's hotel cooking for the British troops when they were stationed there.

Ms. Wilson is also a proud member of the Rose Society in addition to many other community service organisations in the Island and is the oldest living member of St. Mary's Church, in Warwick. She also lives in the same house in which she was born.

Her granddaughters, Linda Lightbourne and Tina Ray say that the family work together to take care of her and that she is never left alone.

When asked what significant changes had she noticed over the years Ms Wilson said: "Everything has changed period. You used to know all of your neighbours, but people do not speak like they used to." She added: "People used to be able to leave the house open and unlocked, but not anymore."

Ms. Lightbourne said: "My grandmother is not the oldest on the island, Ms. Packwood of Loyal Hill, celebrated her 104th birthday at the beginning of the month has her beat.

"Senior citizens tend to do better when they stay at home versus being in senior care because family don't see them as often when they are in nursing homes and then they are forgotten."

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and Minister of Social Rehabilitation Mr. Dale Butler attended Ms. Wilson's home to personally wish her a happy birthday.

They presented her with a bouquet of roses and a beautiful birthday cake in commemoration of this occasion.