Marielot Coppin always knew she would live to celebrate her 100th birthday.
And at the Geriatric Hospital, Beckles Road, St Michael where she resides of recent, she toasted with Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, who came bearing gifts to mark the special occasion, as well as family and friends.
Coppin, who is visually impaired and has two bad knees, has a witty spirit, a good memory and loves black eyed peas and rice with flying fish, steamed or fried. She also believes that hard work pays off and was a domestic worker until age 80.
Marielot’s nephew Jeffrey Coppin lived with her and her sister Norma Coppin-Kirton, who passed away at age 62, in Kings Village, Dayrells Road, before leaving for England in 1965. Jeffrey, 75, said the centenarian was a peaceful individual who always kept to herself and was never involved in “any noise or disagreements” with anyone.
He said when he was growing up, his aunt always said she would live to 100 years.
When asked what he thought contributed to her longevity he said, “She loved her belly, once there is food you can see her there and she liked a lot of walking.
“She used to walk from Dayrells Road to the People’s Cathedral . . . she used to walk to her job in Belleville in the morning, go back home for lunch then walk back to work again.”
Jeffrey visits his aunt whenever he is on the island.
Marielot, who attended St Matthias Girls’ School, lived in St Matthias Road before she moved to the home for the elderly. She said it felt great to reach the milestone, adding that: “I enjoyed working so hard that the two feet start to give out now I getting down in age.”
She has no children and was not married. Reverend Wilma Gill of People’s Cathedral also visited the birthday girl yesterday. (SB)
