Muriel Gibbons celebrates 100th birthday

Defying a serious health setback that had left her family fearing the worst just months ago, Muriel Gibbons marked her 100th birthday on Thursday, celebrating the milestone surrounded by relatives, friends and a senior national figure at her St Peter home.

The milestone was marked at her Ashton Hall, St Peter, home, where acting President Jeffrey Gibson joined relatives and close friends in celebrating the occasion.

Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt

Although not particularly talkative during the festivities, Gibbons appeared to enjoy the celebration as loved ones surrounded her with affection and well-wishes.

Her daughter, Marva Griffith, the fifth of Gibbons’s 13 children, said reaching the milestone was especially meaningful after the family feared they might lose their matriarch earlier this year.

“I’m so excited,” Griffith said. “She wanted this, but she got ill in January, she had a stroke, so we thought that she would not have made it so far. But we kept her home and we looked after her. She’s good. She doesn’t give any trouble and we take turns as a family looking after her.”

Marva Griffith sharing a toast with her mom and Barbados’ newest centenarian Muriel Gibbons, along with Acting President Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

She credited her mother’s resilience and work ethic with shaping the family’s success.

“She worked hard. She was an agricultural labourer and a single mother, and my grandparents, maternal and paternal, helped us a lot. We are what we are today because of her,” she said, adding that discipline was a defining value in their upbringing.

Muriel Gibbons being serenaded by her great grand daughter Christina Lawrence (Photo credit: Shamar Blunt)

“As for our parents, they believed in discipline. In those days, you had to explain yourself if you did anything wrong.”

Son Jerry Gibbons also paid an emotional tribute, describing his mother as a constant source of wisdom and support throughout his life.

“I spent a lot of time with my mother. She’s my guide, my advisor, and I love her a lot,” he said.

Reflecting on becoming a parent himself, he said he gained a deeper appreciation for a mother’s love.

“When I became a father, I realised that you love each of your children differently, but you love all of them the same.”

He also recalled the many lessons she taught him over the years.

“She taught me how to cook, she taught me a lot of things. I wish her a happy 100th birthday and I hope that she stays around to be more than 100 for sure.”

(SB)