PALM BEACH, Fla. – A woman celebrated her 104th birthday a few days early by showing off her piano skills.
Gertrude Matthews played for family and friends at her winter home in Palm Beach on Thursday. She also passed along her secret for a long life.
WATCH: Matthews sings sweet tune
"If you stay close to God, you're going to do what you think God would like you to do," she said.
Matthews started playing the piano when she was 7 years old. She taught music in public schools, married, and raised six children.
She now has 50 grand and great-grand children.
"She takes a big role in our family and she's just a wonderful person for that," said her grandson Jake. "A great leader for all of us, a great example of how to live."
And nothing inspires Matthews more than hearing people sing along to her playing.
"I feel wonderful if people partake and enter into the joy," she said. "I play with my soul and I think a lot of people like that."
Matthews recently underwent hip surgery. She turns 104 on Sunday.