In a playfully decorated room filled with pink balloons and bright tablecloths, friends and family of Mary Lauria gathered to hail her 100th birthday.

But if anyone were looking for a centenarian, it was pretty tough to spot her. That’s because for a 100-year-old, Lauria moves like lightning, a fitting description for “Fast Mary” as many of her friends call her. But with a tiara placed on her head, Lauria was the center of attention at her birthday bash, hosted by the Sister Annunciata Bethell Senior Center in Bedford Park.

Lauria, a tiny woman with golden curls and the spirit of a young woman, lives on her own, atypical for a woman her age. Asked what the secret to such a long life was, Lauria laughed. “I walk every day,” said Lauria. “I do a lot of walking. I don’t stay still.”

As guests poured into the birthday celebration, Lauria greeted each with a smile, standing up several times from her seat at the center of her birthday table for photo ops and handshakes.

Patricia Burlace, executive director of the senior center, described Lauria as very active, adding she’s attended the center for over 25 years. “She comes every day. Even when we had some snowstorms and we closed, Mary came to check just to make sure” said Burlace.

Invited guests included her great grandchildren, grandson, and daughter. Carol Camille Roca, Lauria’s daughter, described her mom as very energetic, friendly, and a people lover. “She needs to be where the action is,” said Roca.

A slideshow of pictures of Lauria attending a variety of the center’s events over the years was presented, with each slide coinciding with tiny blurbs about her life and music from “What a Wonderful World.” In one blurb, Lauria describes giving birth to her daughter, Roca, as her favorite memory in her 100 years of living.

At the celebration, Lauria also received several honors from Councilman Andrew Cohen’s office, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz’s office, Community Board 7, and from the New York City Department for the Aging, who sent over a representative to recite a poem called “Longevity Rap.”

The celebration included a meal consisting of rice and a ham and cheese filled baked chicken, chosen by Lauria. At the end of the meal, Lauria was able to blow out the candles on her birthday cheesecake and pose for pictures showcasing the smile that makes Lauria such a spriteful character.

Asked what her one piece of advice to others would be, Lauria said be kind, come to the center every day, and to “help everyone when they need help.”