God and puzzles keep Ermita going

Centenarian Ermita Weekes’ sharp mind has been attributed to her love for solving crossword puzzles.

When the media interviewed Weekes on her 100th birthday on Thursday June 2, at the Harmony Hall, St Philip home where she lives with her daughter Judy Luke, Weekes held the attention of her loved ones and friends who gathered to celebrate the milestone with her.

“I do the large print crossword puzzles. Yes, I read the newspaper,’ she said as family members nodded their agreement.

“But God is who keeping me. I can’t keep myself. He is the one that keeping me. So I will continue to trust him. I always keep trusting in the Lord. My mother brought me up trusting in the Lord, and I will keep honouring him,” she added.

The centenarian declared that even though her body was not feeling its best, she is grateful that God’s grace is keeping her alive.

“I was born in Fairview, Christ Church. And then my mother moved to Lower Greys, then she went to Boarded Hall. I had a sister who used to do servant work and she asked a friend of hers to rent her a spot, so I came to Britton’s Hill and that is where I reside now. But then after I took ill, my daughter brought me up here with her that she would be able to take care of me, so I am with her now in St Philip,” she said.

Weekes who was dressed in a cheerful pink dress recalled that she was a seamstress for most of her working life.

The mother of six, who said she was never married, admitted that while raising her children was not an easy walk but her mother and sibling made the journey with her.

Weekes’ advice for today’s youth is for them to put their trust in God.

“God is our keeper. He is our provider and he is our strength. He is everything,” the centenarian said.

Weekes’ eldest child is 75 and the youngest is 55. According to relatives, she has nine grandchildren and three great-grands.

To add to her day’s celebrations, Weekes also received the opportunity to engage Acting President The Very Reverend, Dr Jeffrey Douglas Gibson, through a virtual visit. (AH)