The Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home was the scene of much jubilation on April 19 as over 150 persons from throughout the island joined inmate Rose Kamelia Hughes, formerly of West End, in celebrating her 100th birthday.

Ronald Webster paying tribute with Rev. Richardson

The programme, chaired by Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church, Reverend Lindsay Richardson, was marked by lively singing, brief speeches and other presentations as well as a grand party. (The opening prayer was said by retired Methodist Minister, Reverend Joseph Lloyd.)

Governor and Mrs. Johnstone presenting cards to Rose Hughes

Governor Peter Johnstone, who first met Ms. Hughes when she was 97 years, was among those who congratulated her on her 100th birthday. In doing so he presented two birthday cards to her – one from Queen Elizabeth The Second and the other from him and his wife. He commented that it was the first time that he had the opportunity to make such presentations. The message on the card for the Queen read as follows:

“I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your 100th birthday on April 19, 2003. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion.
Elizabeth R.”

Minister of Social Development, Eric Reid, who has responsibility for the Senior Citizens’ Home, extended birthday greetings to Ms. Hughes on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla. He said he was proud that the facilities and staff at the institution were able to cater for such an elderly person and hoped that she would continue to enjoy the comforts of life as provided by the Home.

Elected Representative for West End, Albert Hughes, observed that many persons from his district were at the function and was pleased with the respect they had shown for Rose Hughes, otherwise known as “Mellie.” He attributed her longevity to the grace of God and good eating habits. He commended Head Nurse Cynthia Hughes-Richardson and her staff for obviously taking good care of her. “It makes me proud and gives me an incentive to come here if I too get down,” he remarked. He ended his remarks with the singing of a hymn of thanks and love which he said was “a real birthday song.”
The programme continued with a poem by Sharon Richardson of West End, brief addresses and congratulations by Blondell Rodgiers on behalf of the Soroptimist Club; Leslie Richardson on behalf of the Caribbean Commercial Bank (which has adopted the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home as one of its community projects); and Ronald Webster, one of the Bank’s Directors who led in the singing of several selections.

During the programme, West End resident, Jessica Riley, presented a biography of Rose Hughes who was born on April 19, 2003 to the late Ann Augusta Hughes and the late James Charles Connor. She started working at an early age in Anguilla and later travelled to St. Martin where she became a domestic worker for Mayor Elie Fleming and spent many years. During that period she bore a son, Bruno Thomas, her only offspring.

Cross sections of the more than 150 invited guests at the birthday celebration at the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home on Saturday 19th April, 2003.

On her return to Anguilla, she carried around letters to villagers brought to the West End/Meads Bay area by the postman and also served for a long time as janitor at the West End School. Prior to becoming an inmate at the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home in 1997, she was an active member the Methodist Church.

Cross sections of the more than 150 invited guests at the birthday celebration at the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home on Saturday 19th April, 2003.

She is doing extremely well for her age and said she was grateful to God for granting her a long life. She was delighted with the large spread of food for her birthday party and expressed a preference for goat meat, one of her favourite dishes. The centenarian also showed the large crowd something else she likes. Helped to her feet, she danced away to a fast tune sung by soloist Anita Ruan, much to the applause of the onlookers.

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