New London — It's unclear exactly how old Josefina "Carmen" Leandry Rodriguez is, despite a recent birthday that family says makes her 107.

She claims a birth date of March 19, 1914, which would make her 104; a birth certificate from Puerto Rico, which gives her birthplace as Santa Isabel, indicates she was born May 19, 1915, which would make her slightly younger at 103. Birth records in the early 1900s were notoriously suspect in Puerto Rico, however, and the family insists she is older than records indicate.

But make no mistake: This centenarian who arrived in the United States only 15 years ago is in great shape, still living upstairs at home with her extended family on Crest Street and able to regale acquaintances with remembrances of the past and advice on how to stay young while growing old.

"Be good with everybody," she said in Spanish, translated by her granddaughter's husband, George Romero, who was born and raised in New York City. "Keep close to family and friends. ... Be laughing. Lots of love."

Oh, and one more thing — something she's very strict about, and which she can say in English.

"No alcohol," she said with a smile.

Carmen had five children: three boys and two girls, but one son has died. She lives at the home of her grandson-in-law and granddaughter, 63-year-old Sonia Bermudez, along with one of her daughters, 83-year-old Luz Virginia Rodriguez, who came with her to New London from Puerto Rico.

She has more than 50 grandchildren, as well as countless great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, so the house on Crest Street is often full of five generations.

"Her health is really good, excellent," Romero said.

She's on oxygen, and nurses check in on her five days a week. She has trouble walking, Romero said, but can do so with help.

Romero said in Latino culture, families take care of their own.

"We don't send our mothers and fathers to nursing homes," he said. "If we can, we take care of them ourselves."

Carmen recalls losing her husband at the age of 55, a man who made his living in the sugar cane fields. She stayed at home, was an excellent cook, enjoyed singing and took care of the children, her family recalled.

"There was a lot of work," Carmen said. "You got to take care of yourself."

Back in her home country, she said, "There was a lot of good food. Everything was fresh."

Now, she spends much of her time listening to music of the old country, playing bingo at home and watching Spanish television channels. She especially enjoys taking in New York Yankee baseball games with Romero, saying her favorite player is Alex Rodriguez — because of the last name, of course — though the slugger retired a few years ago.

She sometimes complains about all the wrinkles that come with age, but overall appears to be happy and engaged.

"She doesn't give us much to do," Romero said.

But she always has lots of advice.

"Be happy," she said with her ever-present smile. "Love each other. Pray a lot."

l.howard@theday.com