Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
FOUR CENTENARIANS, with a combined age of 406 years, were honoured by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) at the annual awards ceremony for the parish of St. Mary.
The centenarians honoured were: Mrs. Rose-Ann Moore who was born in Pimento Hill, Islington, St. Mary in October 1904; Mrs. Christiana Harris, born August 5, 1905 in Belfield, St. Mary; Mrs. Irene Dickson, born July 22, 1901 in Camberwell, St. Mary; and Mr. Reuben Byfield, born in Mason Hall, St. Mary in October 1904.
They were each presented with awards and framed citations at the function which was held at the St. Mary Parish church in Port Maria over the weekend.
A special birthday cake was also prepared for the four centenarians, whose birthdays fall between July and October, and they happily participated in the cake-cutting to the delight of the audience.
NOT IN GOOD HEALTH
St. Mary parish organiser for the NCSC, Mrs. Tate Dillon-White, said the parish is blessed with many centenarians but that most of them are not in good health and so only the four were selected for honours this year.
The centenarians, all of whom have some difficulty with their hearing, were nonetheless in high spirits, answering questions from curious individuals and reminiscing on some of their most memorable experiences in their early years.
Mrs. Irene Dickson, who is the eldest at 104 years old, is the mother of 12 children. Her eldest child, Herbie Plummer, is now 83, and her husband predeceased her over 30 years ago.
Asked what can other people do to live such a long and healthy life, Mrs. Dickson replied with a smile, "Eat yuh good food, drink yuh porridge, drink yuh cow milk and when yuh a go to yuh bed at nights, yuh bathe yuh body and put on clean clothes and go sleep."
She also advised that serving God with all your heart was also the key to living a long life.
The function, which was chaired by programme organiser for the NCSC, Charmaine McFarlene, was held under the theme 'Seniors building solid families'.
