Marlene McPherson, outlook writer 
CORISAND LOUISE Townsend Deans is an eloquent, confident woman who has the memory of an Elephant.
Outlook visited the Dumfries residence of this renowned personality and was intrigued by her thought-provoking history.
"I was born in the district of White Horses on August 6, 1906, to my parents, the Townsends, who were Methodists. I left the parish of St. Thomas at an early age as there was no good school here at the time, and lived at Paradise Street in Kingston. I went to Elleston School, then to Kingston Technical for a short period.
"I learnt dressmaking at East and Harbour streets, then I worked for 24 years in Kingston engaged in this craft.
"My grandmother died at the age of 98 while my mother died at the age of 95. God has been good to me. I enjoy good health. My balance is a little off now and I cannot walk for long as I used to. My sister, Leila Heath, is a citizen of Florida and is a healthy 102 year-old," she continued.
"I left Jamaica in my 40s on a banana boat to London."
England. On reaching I worked at a home for the aged for two and a half years before getting a job as a machinist. You know that they (the English) want to prove you. Afterwards I worked at factories doing all types of sewing. During this time I met and married my husband (now deceased). After 13 years I made arrangements to built my own home. Because I wanted to know that when I came back to Jamaica I have a home."
She paused, seemed to reflect, then continued.
"I lived in England. I'm sorry that I did not go there earlier. Anyway I thank God that I am not worse off. England has a number of beautiful places, large manicured lawns, well-kept parks, museums. I have great memories of them," she pointed out.
Asked about her hobbies and television watching, she said she loved tending to the gardens and sewing.
"Sewing has been my life. I enjoy this craft.
"I had a lovely vegetable and flower garden at my home in Thorn Heath, England. I am not a television person. I used to watch The Bold And The Beautiful but it has got too cheap, I like people with dignity."
Then she calmly said, "you can't have all good." She smiled.
STOPPED SEWING
"After 25 years I came home in 1971 on a Spanish tourist boat. On this journey I rested. I decided not to do any more sewing because my sister-in-law, who was a mother of 10 children was doing the same thing in the district and I did not want to draw away her customers. But an old woman who I had sewn for, recommended her daughter to me and I was advertised again and it all began."
Verona O'Connor, one of her church sisters, stated that Mrs. Deans did beautiful embroidery designs even when she was in her early 90s. But this is no longer so.
"I cannot see details anymore and my hands have lost the muscles in them," Mrs. Deans explains, and displayed her hands, beckoning Outlook to inspect them.
"I even had an eye surgery last year, putting in a lens."
She apologised for not being able to show any of her work as these were either given away or taken.
But this cheerful woman who turns 100 next year has a lot to be thankful for. She has someone who comes in to care for her daily needs and she is comfortable. She also has a lot of love and appreciation for her adopted country, England.
"Today I am independent because of England," she said. "I receive my pensions to take care of my welfare." After a pause and with a faraway look she repeated, "I love England."
Mrs. Deans, who has seen economic hardship in her time, has a bit of advice for Outlook readers. "Be thrifty. You do not need to have a lot of money, always live within your means. Don't watch others.
"I worked like a Trojan in England, sometimes through my holidays to make an extra penny, be willing to work."
This is a purposeful woman who truly knows what it means to plan for retirement and enjoy the fruits of her labour. Let's follow her example. Let us work so that at 99 years old we can reflect and say "I love Jamaica."
- Photos by Marlene McPherson
