105 not out! - Mae Dacres still going strong

Mrs. May Dacres (left) at lunch on her 105th birthday as guest of the Lions and Leo Club of Downtown Kingston, July 22, 2001. - Contributed

IT WAS just after noon last Sunday. Blue, green and orange balloons decorated the St. Matthew's Anglican Church Hall in Allman Town, and there was background music and laughter and banter among the thirty members of the Lions and Leo Clubs of Downtown Kingston present.

And then, escorted by two of the "Lions" and accompanied by her grand daughter, Nnerka, Mrs. Mae Dacres entered the hall to applause.

Her dress was sky blue in colour and her soft grey hair had a tint of blue, and it was lovingly styled by Nnerka with tiny twists of "granny bumps".

It was a birthday luncheon for this lady, and a special one. She had been awakened at dawn by her neighbours greeting her with shouts of "happy birthday", and as she said thanks to them it was with subdued delight, as she realised she had been blessed with being 105 years of age.

She no longer walks without help. But her voice is still strong and her eyes glitter with joy behind her glasses.

Club members sang and wished her a "Happy Birthday". It was about the tenth they had celebrated with her, and they promised to celebrate next year's as well.

And for Lions Club President Yvonne Francis, it was a coincidence, that she, too, was also celebrating her birthday. She did not say how many years, but one Club member said he would celebrate her century with her.

Mrs. Dacres was presented with two large fruit baskets from both Clubs.

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