Former educator celebrates 100th birthday

Surrounded by friends and family, Esther Lilian Wickham on Sunday joined the ranks of Barbados’ centenarians as she celebrated her 100th birthday with gratitude and joy.

“I feel good. I don’t feel 100,” said Wickham during the celebration at her Cadogan Road, Grazettes, St Michael home.

The mother of three credited her long life to genetics, as her grandparents almost reached the 100-year mark, along with her father, who passed away at 99.

Barbados’ newest centenarian Esther Lilian Wickham receives hugs and kisses from her children (from left) Cheryl, Jeffrey and Margaret. (JB)

Her daughters, Margaret Austin-Knight and Cheryl Austin and son Jeffrey Austin, described their mom as “very gentle and stern”.

“She would just give us the look and we knew, cut it out,” said Margaret, while Cheryl added, “And she had a few sayings: ‘drunk or sober, mind your business’ and ‘if you make your bed, you have to lie in it’. She was strict about homework, and we were afraid to bring home a grade less than an ‘A’.”

Reminiscing on the days when his wife would aid in his academic work, former professor Edcil Wickham stated that she continued to be a blessing and was “very supportive and helpful”.

“Esther taught me how to do problem-solving… I am grateful to her. I got several awards, and I gave them to her because she was the one who did the work,” he added.

President Jeffrey Bostic congratulated Wickham on reaching the milestone and described her as “one of Barbados’ treasures”. He also praised the former deputy principal of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College for her academic achievements, including earning two bachelor’s degrees, one in education and the other in art.