Marie Brown is still a babe.
If it were up to the 103-year-old, she would still be driving with the top down, giving people hair and beauty tips, and jetting off to Hawaii.
The centenarian is Valley West’s oldest resident and one of its newest, after recently moving to Williams from the Fairfield home of her caregivers, Joe and Carmelita Carter.
Brown celebrated her birthday on June 22 with friends and family, including the Carters; niece Barbara Barrett and husband Bill, of Maxwell; great-niece Cindy Zwald and husband David, of Colusa; and great-nephew William “Bill” Barrett Jr., of Maxwell.
Brown was born on that date in 1919 in Turlock.
“Aunt Marie is 103 and fabulous,” Cindy Zwald said.
Brown, the youngest of four children, spent much of her life in the Bay Area, including time in Oakland, Lafayette, Danville, and Vacaville.
She was previously married and owned a wrecking yard with her husband in Hayward. During the 1970s, Brown lived in Colusa for about 10 years and owned “Brownies Antiques” on Bridge Street.
“Marie had many friends in Colusa and made a lot of memories while living there,” Zwald said.
Having no children of her own, Marie lavished affection on her many nieces and nephews – and their children and grandchildren.
She also lived life large, buying a new Cadillac convertible every few years and spending months at a time in Hawaii after she retired.
Today, she goes through life with a smile on her face and a song in her heart, her friends said.
“Oh, the stories she could tell,” Joe Carter said. “She would still drive if they would let her. She would probably deal cards at a black jack table.”
Brown was a beautician by trade – and enjoyed ballroom dancing.
“I danced on stage,” she said. “I loved it.”
Brown attributes her longevity to healthy living and physical activity.
“No smoking and no drinking,” Brown said. “No drugs, either.”
While not a big sweet eater, Brown did enjoy a slice of her birthday carrot cake after first blowing out her candles.
“You’ve got to have a little bit of fun,” she said with a smile.
After opening gifts and thanking her guests for attending, Brown laughed and invited them all back for her 104th.
“I’ll probably still be here,” she said. ■