Chester Sambrano
There is a new centenarian in this country and her name is Norma Puckerin.
Ms Pukerin celebrated her 100th birthday at her Barataria home on Sunday, April 14.
Scores of family and friends joined the celebration to mark the milestone. Minister of Social Development and Family Services Senator the Honourable Donna Cox was also in attendance.
Pukerin said, “I have to thank God that He has permitted me to live to a hundred. I thank Him, I praise Him."
Ms Pukerin, whose birthday is today, shared that she wasn't aware of her family hosting a birthday celebration, as she found contentment in attending church and receiving blessings from the priest.
“I went to church this morning and the priest blessed me and all the children came and they had me in the centre and it was beautiful. I felt so happy that tears filled my eyes, but I thank God that I will be one hundred tomorrow morning” she said.
According to a media release from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, her deep-rooted faith in God was evident, with every utterance from the new centenarian reflecting gratitude for divine preservation, even when asked about the secret to her longevity by Minister Cox.
In her response, the mother of ten said “Oh God, it’s too much to mention. The Heavenly Father, he has kept me and has been my steering wheel. He said Norma don’t go here, don’t go there and I listened to Him and my children didn’t give me much trouble. I said, don’t let the police hold you, then you would have no mother because I would collapse. But prayer was the answer, prayer was my steering wheel.”
Minister Cox then congratulated Ms Puckerin on achieving the milestone and presented her with her Certificate of Honour and Achievement in recognition of her valuable contribution to Trinidad and Tobago.
Ms Pukerin also received her centenarian medal, a birthday cake courtesy of platinum sponsor, the Kiss Baking Company, and a food hamper.