Golden girl Griffith 100 in great health and spirit

By Anesta Henry

Barbados’ newest Centenarian Sylvia Idalia Griffith who has perfect vision at her golden age reads fine print without glasses.

In fact, she impressed President Dame Sandra Mason when she read the uplifting words in her birthday card when the head of state paid her a visit via zoom today as she celebrated her special day.

After saying goodbye to Dame Sandra, Griffith told members of the media at the Cornerstone Nursing Home at Boarded Hall, St George where she has been living for the past three years, that she woke up feeling blessed and free of any body pains.

“I am feeling okay. I am blessed. I am happy that each of you came today to see me. I appreciate all of you. I am feeling no pain. God is good,” Griffith said.

Stressing that she was looking forward to enjoying her birthday meal once it included her favourite chicken feet, Griffith recalled that for many years she earned a living working as a domestic servant. Griffith worked for many years at District ‘A’ Police Station.

Indeed, she was working at that police station during the 1937 Riots.

Griffith, who said she started working at age 12,added even though she was unable to attain higher education, she made the best of life.

The firm believer in God said that persons who wish to celebrate such a remarkable milestone should behave themselves and stay away from negative people.

The centenarian’s only child died at a young age, leaving her to carry out the responsibility
of raising her only grandchild Marjorie Wharton who is now 51. Wharton said she lost her mom when she was eight-years-old, but her grandmother and grandfather who is now deceased, did what was necessary to ensure she received a well-rounded upbringing.

“People will say that when you are an only child you are spoiled, but I disagree completely. As an only child I don’t remember being spoiled. But it was good. We always had a good focus on education, learning on doing better, trying to give of your best and working hard. Those are the kind of principles that were taught as home. And as she mentioned, focusing on faith and prayer was a strong part of my life growing up,” Wharton said.

“But she was never a bad child growing up. She never gave me any trouble. She was a good girl,” Griffith, who was also raised by her grandparents, added.

Owner of the Nursing Home, Lilian Lorde, described Griffith as an independent resident who goes to the bathroom by herself, is always reading a book, and is not known for giving any trouble.

“The only thing is she has a bit of pain in the hip but otherwise she is good. How you heard her speak to the President this morning is how her memory is. She goes back to tell you everything about her grandmother who raised her.

“She is pleasant and gives us no trouble, you can ask any of the persons working here. She also reads books that have the smallest print and she is able to read every word. How she read the card from the President just now is how she reads all the time,” Lorde said.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb