A Gold Coast woman has celebrated her 109th birthday with prawn cocktails, lamb cutlets and a sip of champagne.

May Baker was born in Lismore in 1916, became a home economics teacher and was married to her late husband Ken for 60 years.

Ken was a school principal and the couple travelled extensively around Australia in their caravan.

The great-grandmother of eight now lives in the Golden Age aged care facility in Southport, where she today celebrated with family and friends who reflected on her long life.

Having survived two world wars and personal health challenges, including bowel cancer at age 65, she was described by her son, Ian, as resilient.

"It looked like the end and [yet] here she is," he said.

Her son Keith attributed her longevity to her calm demeanour.

"I don't recall mum ever shouting or yelling at me," he said.

Baker has already received seven letters from Queen Elizabeth II and two from King Charles III and intends to stick around a little longer.

"I suppose it'll catch up with me before too long," she said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.