LEWISTON – After her 7 a.m. workout Wednesday, Chantal Gosselin was informed by hospital officials that there were people in the conference room looking to interview seniors who did fitness activities.

Sure, she’d answer a couple questions.

Instead of finding reporters, the Lewiston resident found about 20 of her workout buddies waiting. They crowned her with a tiara.

It was an early birthday celebration. She’ll be 90 on Monday.

Gosselin is the oldest member of the Happy Hearts cardiac rehabilitation program at Central Maine Medical Center, and one of the most influential. For 16 years, whenever a member was absent without an explanation, she’d be on the phone.

When she found out one member needed potassium, she made it a point to bring him a banana every morning.

Gosselin started with the program after open-heart surgery at age 74.

The group exercises every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Participants do cardiovascular, weight and balance training.

“I come in here, I have a lot of fun and laugh a lot,” Gosselin said.

The program offers camaraderie and support for the members, hospital officials say.

“The more physically fit you are, the more mentally fit (you are),” said Sue Driscoll, personal health care counselor at CMMC.

There are four groups of 10 to 15 that work out during the day. The members all have had heart problems or operations of some sort.

“They’ve chosen to exercise with a group,” Driscoll said. “Most of us need a little push.”

Gosselin said she was born in Lewiston, but grew up on a farm in Webster, which is now Sabattus. She later moved back. She was married to her late husband, Arthur, when she was 29, and had two kids, who both teach school now.

“She’s been an inspiration for all of us,” Driscoll said. “She keeps us all going.”

The first thing many people notice about Gosselin is her outfit – she’s always color coordinated, Driscoll said, pointing out her pink and black workout clothes.

On Fridays, all the women wear red.

The group always throws Gosselin a birthday party. When asked what she wanted this year, she told them “men popping out of her cake,” Driscoll said.

Sure enough, her chocolate cake was topped with two cutouts of shirtless, muscular men.

Raymond and Terry Ellis of Minot have been in the program since nearly the beginning.

“She’s just a fantastic lady,” Terry said. “She’s always the first one here; she never misses.”

Raymond said that once he and Gosselin were both hospitalized at the same time, her on the first floor, him on the fourth. She wanted to visit, so wearing a hospital gown, she went by every room until she found him.

Bert Cote of Litchfield has worked out with Gosselin for nine years, but knew her prior to the program when he worked with her husband at a car dealership.

“She’s always smiling,” Cote said. “She keeps us all going. If we don’t show up she’s on the phone.”