Etheline Louise Graham, the latest centenarian, was the “lady of the hour” as relatives and friends gathered to celebrate the special milestone on Sunday.
Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, who joined via Skype, headed the list of well-wishers as the “youthful looking” centenarian spoke with her during the celebrations held at Dreamaway Villa, Castle Close, St Philip.
Graham said she was grateful to God for her long life and was feeling “really good”.
Her daughter June Graham said her mother was born in Claybury, St John, and educated at Mount Tabor Girls’ School.
Like most young women in her time, she worked as a seamstress and sewed “eye-catching” fashions of that time, for family members and clients islandwide.
June said her mother met and later wed her now deceased father, John Graham, deceased, an Industrial Arts teacher at the Lodge School.
They had six children, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
As a devout worshipper at Mount Tabor Moravian Church, Graham sang in the choir played the piano; and was active in the Women’s Fellowship. June said her mother loved music and taught her children how to play the piano. She also taught her children how to ride the bicycle.
Graham was a strict disciplinarian who was very outgoing and loved picnicking, June said.
“Mummy is the sort of person that when she is out, she does not bother about the house or about what time she returns home. When she is out, she’s out,” June said.
Graham spends her days reading the newspaper, and enjoys rice, cou cou and a slice of cake. (BGIS)
