Big celebration for centenarian

Long Bay, Portland

At age 100, Lena Myers of Rose Gardens in Long Bay, Portland, still remembers her earlier years of facing economic hardships before later graduating to a life of ease and financial stability.

Born on January 22, 1925, in Hopewell, Eastern Portland, Myers’ achievement of a century of enjoying the breath of life given to her by her maker, is astonishing, especially given the fact that her sister, Alice Ellis, is now 95 years old and slowly approaching the same milestone.

So it was that on January 22, Myers reached her 100th year, and three days later, celebrated the milestone with family members, friends, neighbours, and members of the political directorate who were on hand to revel in the feast and festivities recognising a woman much loved by community residents at her home in Rose Gardens.

“I have 11 children - seven girls and four boys. I grew up doing dressmaking for the community, where I made uniforms for girls attending primary school,” she said.

“In those days, things was very hard, and there were a lot of struggles. We never knew gas stove, so back then we had to use wood fire or coal. I went to Rural Hill Primary and then I went to Titchfield Primary for a short time as my uncle was living in Port Antonio. I lost my brother in 1988, but I still have five sisters.

“I am very thankful to God. I got saved in the Church of the First Born in 1968, myself and my husband. Both of us got baptised, but within another year, my husband, Opal Myers, died. My youngest child was three months old when my husband died. But today, God has seen me through, and I trust in God to provide for me. My husband was a farmer who provided food for his family.”

Among the specially invited guests were East Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Annmarie Vaz, who brought gifts, and Paul Thompson, councillor for the Manchioneal division and mayor of Port Antonio.

For her part, Vaz hailed the longevity of Myers, who, according to her, amazingly still has her physical and mental faculties intact at age 100.

“It is an amazing thing, and even at her age, she still remembers all the dates. I am much younger, and I can’t remember some things, “ Vaz quipped.

“I just had to be here to celebrate this momentous occasion, which will remain with me for a long time to come. I wanted my grandmother to live to see 100 years, but she fell a little bit short of that milestone. On record, [Myers] is probably the oldest living person in East Portland at this time. She is in excellent health and she hears very well,” Vaz added.

In the meantime, Thompson, who is very familiar with the family, spoke about his relationship with them while adding that they are close-knit and much loved by residents.

“This is a special family that sticks together through thick and thin. And this centenarian, who is the senior among the lot, has lived a good life, with her credibility and integrity still intact, “ he said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com