FARMINGTON — Leona Cross clutched a box of chocolates Monday as she celebrated her 107th birthday at The Pierce House on Main Street.

“No one is taking these,” she said, as close friends and volunteers gathered for the party and open house.

“At 107, Cross can do anything she wants,” said Darlene Mooar, administrator of The Pierce House. “She loves chocolate and gets it about six times a day.”

Cross greeted friends and well-wishers, unaware that it was her 107th birthday, Mooar said.

The number of the birthday doesn’t really matter anymore, but she enjoyed the party, said Therese Hersey, Cross’s volunteer friend. At her 105th birthday, Cross danced, Hersey said.

Hersey is one of 16 members of The Friends. The group — one for each resident — meets monthly, plans social events and meets frequently with their particular friend, Mooar said.

“I often ask her if she is having a good day,” Hersey said. “Leona always says, ‘It is always a good day.'”

Leona Skillins Cross was born Nov. 21, 1909, in Falmouth and as Farmington’s oldest resident has held the Boston Post Cane since 2010.

She studied physical education in college and became a physical education teacher, according to history supplied by The Pierce House. When friends owned a motel in town, they wanted Leona’s husband, Harold Cross, to come and run a restaurant.

Harold Cross was well-known as a chef all over the country. The couple opened Cross Restaurant on the Farmington Falls Road. It is now the location of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service.

At the party Monday, Leona Cross held onto a postcard featuring the Cross Restaurant that was given to her by a staff member.

Cross grew up on a farm in Falmouth and as a young girl she was given a special doll named Sammy. The porcelain doll, now 100 years old, is dressed in clothing made by Leona herself, the history said.

She also trained and showed dogs, particularly Brussels griffons, Hersey said.  

In her later years, Cross developed a passion for roses and grew many. People came from all over the state to see her garden.

“Leona has lived her life as the days came along; she takes things as they come and adores eating chocolate,” according to her history. “With this life philosophy, its no surprise that she is celebrating her 107th birthday.”

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