Questelles resident turns 100

The Questelles Seventh Day Adventist church was filled to capacity on Tuesday, leaving only standing room, as family members and residents of the community celebrated Marie Young’s 100th birthday.{{more}}

Tanty Marie, as she is commonly known was born on March 12, 1913 and has eight children: four boy and four girls. Three of her sons however, are deceased.

She also has 41 grand children and 91 great, great grand children.

The high spirited elder, who continuously smiled throughout the thanksgiving service organized by her family, credited God for blessing her to live such long life.

“The secret to reaching my age, 100… is God.

“God is love. If you give God your heart and mind, he will take care of everything else,” Tantie Marie told SEARCHLIGHT.

Young has no medical conditions and is said to be very active.

“She even still cooks,” said her first grandson, Erwin Shepherd.

In her younger days, Young made her living by selling fish from a basket that she carried around on her head through the Questelles community on a daily basis.

Most of her other family members were fisherfolk and after hauling in their catch, would give them to Tantie Marie to sell.

Tantie Marie didn’t only sell fish. It also served as one of her favorite meals.

“She loves her fish broth and other natural foods,” said Yvonne Henry, one of Tantie Marie’s daughters.

Sometimes, Tantie Marie would even give away fish to those who couldn’t afford to purchase.

“My mother was and still is a loving and warm hearted person who took care of not only her children, but also other members of the community,” Henry added.

Veronica Marshall, another of her daughters described her mother as a kind, loving and jovial person who always entertained community members with her witty jokes.

At age 100, Tantie Marie still entertains her fellow community members whenever they pass by her home at Lower Questelles.

“I still give jokes. It’s good to laugh,” the centenarian said.

A diehard cricket fan, Tantie Marie is hoping that her century can be an inspiration to the West Indies cricket team. (AA)