‘Ma Ma’ celebrates 100th birthday

By Peta Rowe-Forde

 

Miriam Wiggins, or “Ma Ma” as she is affectionately called by her descendants, has achieved her goal of living to see one hundred years of age. Surviving her late husband, Lawrence Wiggins, who died at age 92, Ma Ma celebrated in fine style last Thursday in the company of her family and His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave.

 

Upon the arrival of the Governor General, Sir Elliott presented the matriarch of the family with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. Having one of her daughters read the birthday letters from the Queen and the Governor General respectively, a vibrant Ma Ma could be seen smiling.

 

Ma Ma was described by one of her ten children as a loving mother who instilled many strict values, such as having good manners, which are serving them well today. Added to that, Ma Ma is known as one who loves to dress up as she admitted to dancing a lot in her younger years. Despite this love for the outdoors, Ma Ma spent quality time with her children; always enforcing that they have to go to school to reap the benefits of education that were not afforded to her.

 

Furthermore, Ma Ma was quite the disciplinarian. Her daughter noted that she was never one to spare the rod and spoil the child and would often comment that she is doing it now so that no one has to do it later.

 

When asked about her favourite food, a jovial Ma Ma stated that “ground foods” were among her favourites while her primary caretaker added that she often requested her “greens” as well. Speaking of requests, Ma Ma expressed her desire for some Brandy, which she told Sir Elliott that she will drink, displaying that her sense of humour has only gotten better with age.

 

Being surrounded by friends, her ten children, 28 grandchildren and approximately 18 great grandchildren, Ma Ma had a great day of celebration for her 100th birthday that she vowed since her 90th that she would reach.