St Michael woman celebrates 101st birthday

At 101 years old, Meta Naomi Sealy is a woman who continues to surprise and charm everyone she meets, even the President of Barbados.

Inside her cosy Bayville, St Michael home, friends and family gathered on Sunday to mark her latest milestone with laughter, memories, and plenty of love.

The event was made even more special by the long-anticipated visit from President Dame Sandra Mason. The customary visit was delayed by one unforgettable adventure, Sealy’s family cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line. Sailing out of Florida, she and her loved ones spent days exploring the Caribbean, soaking up life at sea last year to celebrate her 100^th birthday.

After the President had spent some time getting to know about her life, there was a heartfelt toast by her son, Livingstone Sealy, and a spirited round of the Happy Birthday song.

President Mason prepared to take her leave, but Sealy quickly asked if she was leaving, drawing a chuckle from all around. When the President joked if she would walk her to the door, Sealy immediately agreed, sparking a delighted and surprised smile from the nation’s head of state.

Despite a slight hearing loss, Sealy’s voice remains strong, her spirit unmistakable. When asked how she felt on her birthday, her answer was swift and clear: “Good!” Then, after a thoughtful pause, she added, “Special!” It is, she said, “by the grace of God” that she is still here, and she hopes to be blessed with even more time.

Born in the rural community of Belleplaine, St Andrew, Sealy’s life journey took her first to the city in Westbury Road, then the nearby Beckles Hill, and finally to Bayville, where she built her home and her family.

The homemaker raised poultry and pigs to assist in supporting her children while her husband, Livingstone Sealy, a seaman and ship’s chef, travelled the seas. They married in 1946 and remained devoted until his passing in 1988.

Together, they raised five children, three daughters and two sons, of whom Winston, Monica, and Patricia Sealy survive today. Speaking with deep affection, Winston recalls, “My mother brought us up in the right way, with respect for people, for the elderly, she teach us right from wrong and not to get in any trouble at all. She looked after us and do everything possible to make us a lot better in life.”

Today, Sealy’s sharp mind remains one of her proudest traits. A crossword puzzle enthusiast, she proudly showed off her keen eyesight by reading an excerpt from the President’s card without hesitation.

When it comes to food, her tastes remain true to her roots. Her favourites include cou-cou with saltfish gravy and a hearty helping of souse, which she enjoyed with great delight the day before her birthday.

Her family tree is as rich and expansive as her life story: 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, each one carrying a piece of her legacy forward. (STT)