Mom Labbay 2 days away from century

Dorcas Labbay was born August 21, 1905. Speaking to her at her home in Questelles last Wednesday, she looked forward to her 100th birthday next Sunday. She can speak with surety about life. Whatever the drawbacks, Mommy Labbay as she is affectionately called reflects with satisfaction.

She does not shy away from modern trends, and fits in with the requirements of survival. She is independent, and sticks to her line.{{more}}

“Everything is alright with me. I am contented,” she affirmed.

Born Dorcas Dallaway in Questelles, the young Dallaway worked at Edmond Davy’s shop in Chateaubelair when she attracted the attention of Earnest Labbay. They got married December 17, 1930. By 1951, Mommy Labbay had become a widow.

The union produced seven children; five boys and two girls.

Mommy Labbay has survived three sons, and the family is looking forward to a gathering on Sunday.

Her first daughter Veronica Mosely, and granddaughter Keziah Bass based in Antigua were on hand for the occasion.

Mommy Labby keeps herself active.

“I love provision. I love plenty walking. I take my walk in the house on mornings. I do plenty of work,” Mommy Labbay disclosed.

“I used to wash, starch and iron for Pastor Hitlal,” she recalled, and also mentioned the Sylvesters.

“I plant cotton, I weed cotton. I do plenty hard work,” she went on.

“I bake farine, turn mill, jig mill. I used to go to Tea Meetings. They used to hang up bananas, figs, oranges by the windows. The orators will go up and give speeches. They gave you tea and buns and so on,” Mommy Labbay outlined.

Three years ago Labbay responded to an invitation from her granddaughter in Antigua and made the trip to that Caribbean island unaccompanied. “You have to try to help yourself,” she interrupted, as that story was being told.

Her wits are as sharp as any youngster’s, and she hardly needs prompting. She admitted to diets of corn cucoo, and

farine cucoo. She also mentioned about “nice fish stew down… that is good food. That strengthen you.”

She maintains a sense of morality in her concept of dress and expressed outrage at today’s mode of dress.

“When I was growing, people don’t walk the street half-naked,” Labbay pointed out.

She lamented on males

with trousers at their knees, bathing in what she described as sliders.

“In my day, men and women used to bathe in the sea naked, and they never used to lust after one another.”

“Little boys wearing jockey. Big men used to do without that,” she recalled.

In addition to the innocence that pervaded the society, there was an atmosphere of collective security.

“You coulda just push in yo’ door and not even lock it and go to town. Now ah days, if yo’ in the bedroom, people will come in your drawing room and th’ief out you thing,” she said.

Labbay was recounting a personal experience, and when asked about suspicions she declared: “Suspicions is left to God. Me nah able.”

Labby lives by her philosophy of self-contentment. “If I have, I don’t tell anybody. That is my business. I lie down, I read, I sleep. Me nah worry a soul.”

Congratulations to Dorcas Labbay on her landmark.