Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Authorities and residents in the western Mexican city of Zapopan celebrated the 124th birthday of Leandra Becerra Lumbreras, who may be the oldest woman in Latin America.

Becerra attracted no notice for a number of years until in 2008 the DIF family services agency of Zapopan took note of the case and sought out her relatives. Then it was learned that the woman has 148 descendents in Mexico and the United States.

In the surrounding state of Jalisco she has 40 grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, according to information provided by one of her great-grandchildren, Miriam Alvear Hernandez, who cares for her.

Becerra participated in the 1910-1917 Mexican Revolution as a leader of the "Adelitas," women who accompanied their husbands serving with Pancho Villa to the battle front.

Leandra "is Zapopan’s longest-lived woman and could be (the oldest) in Latin America," said the DIF in its communique.

Her party was livened up by the Quetzal chorus of elderly adults and a number of her family members attended the celebration.

"The birthday girl has no degenerative chronic illnesses and when she’s awake she shares anecdotes from the Mexican Revolution," said the DIF.