One of the country's oldest citizens,Josephine Jackman,celebrated her 108th birthday yesterdaywith a prayer service surrounded by loved ones at her Welcome Peters Street,Sipariahome. Jackman's daughter Pearl Jackman-Murren, 74,said her mother's long life may be due to the fact that she never takes on stress and is a devout Shouter Baptist.
"She is highly spiritual," she said.
Jackman's birthday was actually on Saturday. She was was born in "Quinam in the bush" and her favouritemeal is coo coo and fish. A mother of two who never married, she worked as a domestic helper to support her two daughters.
Up until Jackman-Murrenmoved back in with her mother in 2010, the centenarianlived on her own and did everything for herself.
"My mother was always a disciplinarian, a no nonsense person. She never spare the rod, sometimes she would save the rod for another day, but she was never an abusive parent," Jackman-Murren said.
She said although her mother has slowed down a bit, she is in good health.
"She has sharp eyesight. She reads the papers with no glasses. She eats everything. She likes to get up and look at the sun. When she does not see it she is unhappy. She asks about the date and time."
Among well wishers at Jackman's home yesterdaywas Siparia Regional Corporation chairman DrGlenn Ramadharsingh who presented her with a birthday cake, healthhamper, plaqueand flowers.
Jackman is s grandmother of 12, great grandmother of 28 and great great grandmother of four.
