Gwendolyn Jack celebrates 100th birthday

A close look would not reveal that she has just celebrated her 100th birthday. But she has a birth certificate to prove it.{{more}}

Gwendolyn Jack was born in Grenada on September 11, 1908, to Vincentian parents. She came to St Vincent at the tender age of two, the only girl of five children born to her parents.

Throughout her life, this humble woman has been involved in a number of charitable organizations in her church and the community. She was part of the first ever Brownie troop in Calliaqua and the Women’s League. She was also part of the music council, having sung since age ten.

The wife of the late George Hubert Jack, Gwendolyn has travelled extensively throughout Canada and has also been to England, the USA and France. “I can tell you about Louis XIV’s castle in Versailles” she said.

Gwendolyn is the mother of five children: F.I Jack, former Deputy Headmaster of the St. Vincent Grammar School, who lives here in St. Vincent, as well as Earl Jack, Louise Jack Richards, Joan Jack Heselton and Yvonne Jack, all of whom journeyed from Canada to celebrate their mother’s 100th birthday.

Still very active, “Nennie Gwen” as she is called, enjoys a full life. Believe it or not, she still continues to play the piano quite skillfully, does handcraft and sews.

When Searchlight visited her home last Thursday, September 11, she was playing melodious piano music for an appreciative audience. She, however, confided that she “can do very little now” because of her failing sight.

Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne was also on hand to wish her a happy birthday and present her with a cake and a bouquet of flowers.

Gwendolyn, who has been worshipping at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Calliaqua since 1914, said it “feels great” to be one hundred years old. She said her secret to longevity is “trust in God all the time; faith, patience and prayer”.

She urges young people to “hold on to God’s unchanging words; serve the Lord with gladness; try to put some of the things of the world behind, (as) they would go dim no matter how they look; God First”. (VM)