Governor General, Sir Elliott Belgrave, sharing a toast with Barbados’ most recent centenarian, Rosalie Bailey.
Birthday girl, Rosalie Bailey, cutting her cake with her Doctor, Vikash Chatrani.
MP for St. Michael Central, Steven Blackett, sharing a moment with the centenarian.
Rosalie Bailey celebrates her 100th birthday
Wed, 02/01/2017 - 12:00am
By:
Tonisha Rock-Yaw
Rosalie Bailey, better known as ‘Gwen or Mama’ by many, celebrated her 100th birthday in fine style yesterday at her home in Waterhall Land, Eagle Hall, St. Michael.
Rosalie has seven children (two deceased), 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grands and two great-great-grands. This vibrant lady was born and raised in Free Hill, Black Rock where she attended the St. Stephen’s Primary School. In her younger years she liked playing rounders and reading, and at age 16 she was part of a tomato picking gang in which her task was to assemble the boxes for packaging.
Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave, presented Rosalie with flowers; non-alcoholic wine; a birthday card from the Queen, which she was able to read a loud without any spectacles; and also a birthday card on behalf of his wife and himself.
When Rosalie was asked how she managed to live so long, her response was simple, “It is God’s blessings that I live so long.”
She continued, “I worked hard and ate healthy. My favourite food was cou-cou. I ate plenty yam and sweet potato, however, I don’t eat as much anymore because it burns my stomach.”
Some who were gathered gave congratulatory speeches, amongst them was her doctor Vikash Chatrani, consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Gynae-Oncologist. He said, “It gives me great joy to be here today and be a part of your celebrations. I had the pleasure of meeting Gran gran at a tender age of 95, as she came to me with Stage 3 Cancer five years ago. I ended up offering her surgery, however, I received resistance from all my colleagues, ‘Why would you want to operate on a 95-year-old? She lived her life, she has Stage 3 Cancer, let her die in peace.’
“Not only did she have the surgery, but she continued to live her life cured of cancer. She spearheaded a movement that started in 2013 where we raised awareness and highlighted these issues that can affect women in their gynaecological parts. Happy birthday, Gran gran! Wishing you many more happy and healthy ones.”