The final day of 2013 held special significance for Etheline Puckerin and Marie Brereton, the country’s newest centenarians.
Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave visited both women, first speaking and congratulating Puckerin at St Jude’s Nursing Home, Holder’s Hill, St James; then Brereton at The Good Citizens Care of the Elderly Nursing Home, Grazettes Main Road, St Michael.
Puckerin was described by friends and family as a live wire and she proved she still had that spark as she kept Sir Elliott entertained with her witty remarks.
When asked by him how she knew she was 100 years old, Puckerin replied: “Because I have the birth certificate,” causing those gathered to erupt in laughter.
Sir Elliott expressed his pleasure at meeting with centenarians who were articulate.
“Some people, when they reach the age of 100, they get blind, they get deaf and cannot read,” he added.
Puckerin said she felt great on her birthday and attributed her longevity to living a blessed life and loving the Lord.
“I love the Lord and I know the Lord loves me,” she said.
She said her only regret was that she did not get into the teaching profession since she was asked by the school master to be a pupil teacher and she declined at that time.
Puckerin’s niece Elsie Haynes said her aunt had no children, but was the eldest of three children and helped to care for her nieces and nephews.
The new centenarian was born in Welch Village, St John, attended St John’s Parish Church and worked baking and selling bread, fruits and vegetables. Haynes said she was a very generous aunt who raised her from nine months and thoroughly spoilt her.
She said that though her aunt could not move around, she would give a little jig in the chair, could read without glasses, loved to sing and her voice was crystal clear, but she was a bit hard of hearing. However, she could still carry on conversation, had an excellent memory and appetite. Her only health issue was acid reflux and arthritis.
Birthday girl Brereton, whose voice was barely over a whisper for most of the visit, was full of thanks to Sir Elliott for his visit and to God for reaching 100 years.
Her only son, 80-year-old Alwyn Howell, known as Lloyd Greene, flew in from New York for the special occasion. He said she was strict mother, who gave him a lot of “licks”, but for that he was thankful.
Howell recalled the story of the time he brought home some fish which were not given to him and he got a beating.
Brereton’s response was: “I told him the day will come when I will be able to give you more fish than you can eat and that day did come.”
Brereton was born in Belair, St George, attended St George’s Parish Church and has been at Good Citizens for four years.
Brereton still has a good appetite and her mental faculties, although her eyesight is failing.
Brathwaite-Reece said she was a picky eater, liked ground provisions and sweet things.
The birthday girl’s advice for the young people: “Go to the house of worship and praise and bless and thank God.”