BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SUNDAY (May 12) was a very special day for Maude James. Special not only because it was Mother’s Day, but a day when family members, friends and caretakers gathered to celebrate the longevity of the soon-to-be centenarian.
The event took place at The Grange Specialist Heath Care Facility, a private nursing home in Ottley’s Village, and among those present were her daughter Maisie Hamm-Harvey, grandson Wayne Harvey and Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris.
James will be 100 years old on Tuesday (May 14) but it was decided to honour her with a pre-birthday party on Mother’s Day.
And for the special occasion, she was nicely dressed in a red suite and a black broad hat with a matching black flower pinned on her clothing. Additionally, her outfit was decorated with a festive looking pin-on ribbon which read ‘BIRTHDAY GIRL’.
The former resident of Phillip’s Village was an employee of the defunct St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation in which she had laboured for many years as a cane harvester.
Chief Executive Officer of The Grange, Pat Richards-Leader informed SKNVibes that “just over a year ago we were blessed to have (Miss) Maude James as one of our residents to take care of her”.
She said the facility has 34 residents and “we really cherish and care for them. Caring for the elderly is our business; it’s not just a business, it’s a passion”.
“I just feel it’s such an honour to reach that age in any day and still be quite lucid and coherent. Her ability is a bit impaired but she’s very with it,” Richards-Leader added.
She said family members were encouraged “to blend with us” for the birthday event.
The CEO noted that management makes it their duty to host birthday parties at The Grange for its residents.
James’ daughter flew in from St. Thomas with her son, an employee of the Virgin Island Daily News, to celebrate her birth anniversary.
She said her mother had given birth to seven children - four boys and three girls – and that she is the fourth and oldest of the three surviving sisters.
As understood, one of her sisters is currently ill in St. Thomas and the other is living in New York, but both of them were unable to attend the historic event.
“My mother worked hard in the sugar cane industry. She raised us to the best of her ability and she always was a God-fearing person; she loves the Lord! She has lived a full, full life and I’m happy about that. I’m glad and I’m thankful for her,” Maisie said.
Her grandson Wayne also spoke to the occasion.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be here to celebrate my grandmother’s 100th birthday. I am here in support of my mom and the rest of my family.”
SKNVibes also spoke with Dr. Harris who shared that he has known the soon-to- be centenarian for a very long time.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here for this special occasion. In fact, it is a milestone and historic occasion where we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Maude. Maude is someone I have known for a very long time throughout all of my years as a Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven.
“She lived at Plum Tree in Phillip’s and Phillip’s has long been one of the more supportive communities. Overtime she has lost her eyesight but, to me, what is remarkable is that she continues to be of sound mind. Her memory is there. She is alert and she looks quite well physically…and so I believe it’s a blessing.”
Harris further praised the milestone age.
“So few people attain the age of 100. Those who achieve it have certainly gone long beyond their three score and 10 allotment, and especially at a time when so many are going at very younger ages. We have to marvel really at the strength and resilience of the older generation.”
The Parliamentary Representative highlighted the significance of the day’s event.
“It was a good day of remembering the elderly. A good day of remembering our mothers in particular, but to also remember the contributions that the old has made which we have not yet tapped into in terms of the revisiting, the remaking and the management of our history. And critical to that history is the lives lived by our people and the ability to communicate and to tell those stories which we must capture for the benefit of the generations to come.”
