For Lottie Hanks, the joy of being surrounded by her children and the warmth of having friends around is something she always cherished.

That’s how the 101-year-old from Boscawen received the Boston Post Cane, a New England tradition that honors a community’s oldest living resident, with her son Kevin Hanks and her daughter, Carolyn Whitman by her side.

Hanks was at the Harris Hill Center in Concord when she received the award last week. She was receiving rehabilitation services after facing a health challenge just before Christmas that landed her in the hospital.

She hopes to go back home to Corn Hill Road soon.

Longevity is a shared family trait, said son Kevin Hanks. His father lived to be 100 years old and most of his family members lived well into their eighties.

“I think putting one foot in front of the other and just keep going,” Kevin said about his parent’s secret to a long life. “Despite whatever happened, that’s what they always said.”

For Lottie Hanks, the care and companionship of her children have remained constant. They take turns staying at home with her to take care of her needs.

“We love her and cherish every day we get to have with her,” Kevin said.