Olivia Patricia Thomas is rising quickly on the list of the world’s oldest people by simply biding time in Williamsville’s St. Francis Home, her health and sense of humor perfectly intact.

Thomas, who turns 114 today, is now the fourth-oldest living person, trailing only Gertrude Baines of California, 115, and Kama Chinen of Japan and Mary Josephine Ray of New Hampshire, who celebrated their 114th birthdays in May.

Dubbed “the plant lady” by neighbors for the gorgeous garden she kept at her former home in Snyder, Thomas, who goes by Pat, left trowel behind when she moved to the Reist Street nursing home five years ago. These days, she gets her kicks from organized activities, including music and exercise, said activities director Brittany Siach.

Thomas, who is strong enough to move about on her own in a wheelchair, is especially partial to “rhythm in motion” sessions “where we put some music on, talk about it and kind of move around a little,” Siach said. “She loves music. It’s a really good activity for her.”

Siach says Thomas is still a social butterfly who enjoys talking with the staff and people who drop in to visit, including her former longtime neighbor, Frank Kelly.

As for winning the war of attrition that one must survive to become the oldest living person, Thomas, whose long-term memory is better than her recollection of recent happenings, seemingly couldn’t care less, the activities director said.

“I’m not sure she knows she is the fourth-oldest, but she does joke about other things. She seems very good in that way,” Siach added.

Women, and American women in particular, seem to hold a pronounced advantage when it comes to reaching superold status. Thomas is one of five U. S. women among the 10 oldest people — all women — listed by the Gerontology Research Group.

Of the world’s 79 supercentenarians— people at least 110 years old— just six are men.

Siach won’t let Thomas forget she has a date today for a party celebrating yet another milestone in her life, which has spanned parts of three centuries. Cake and lemonade are being served, and Thomas is receiving a bouquet of roses to complement her new outfit.

“She’s looking forward to it,” Siach said. “She told me she’ll need to get her hair curled, and we’re going to do that for her.”