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VI honours 7 centenarians

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), left, and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) were on hand to honour Ms Christeen Hodge, 100. Photo: GIS
Mrs Enelle Smith, 105, was one of the centenarians honoured for National Centenarian Day on September 20, 2024. Photo: GIS
Mrs Enelle Smith, 105, was one of the centenarians honoured for National Centenarian Day on September 20, 2024. Photo: GIS
Mrs Floresa George, 101, is given her flowers on National Centenarian Day. Photo: GIS
Mrs Floresa George, 101, is given her flowers on National Centenarian Day. Photo: GIS
Social Worker Mrs Sheema Hodge Radway, left, and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), right, with centenarian Iris L. Harrigan, 101. Photo: GIS
Social Worker Mrs Sheema Hodge Radway, left, and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), right, with centenarian Iris L. Harrigan, 101. Photo: GIS
Mr Evelyn Hodge (3nd from left), 101, was one of the centenarians honoured for National Centenarian Day on September 20, 2024. Photo: GIS
Mr Evelyn Hodge (3nd from left), 101, was one of the centenarians honoured for National Centenarian Day on September 20, 2024. Photo: GIS
Virgin Gorda resident Mrs Betty Yates, age 102, was one of the centenarians honoured by the Social Development Department on National Centenarian Day 2024. Photo: GIS
Virgin Gorda resident Mrs Betty Yates, age 102, was one of the centenarians honoured by the Social Development Department on National Centenarian Day 2024. Photo: GIS
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) with flowers for Mrs Emogene Augusta Creque, 105. Photo: GIS
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) with flowers for Mrs Emogene Augusta Creque, 105. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Seven centenarians were recently honoured by the Social Development Department for reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years.

Mrs Enelle Smith and Mrs Emogene Augusta Creque, both 105 years old; Mr Evelyn Hodge, 101; and Ms Christeen Hodge, 100, residing on Tortola; Mrs Betty Yates, age 102; Mrs Floresa George and Mrs Iris Leonel Harrigan, both age 101, were honoured by the department for their wisdom and contributions to the Virgin Islands community, as the Territory observed National Centenarian Day on Friday, September 20, 2024.

'Resilience, wisdom & resourcefulness'

Chief Social Development Officer, Mrs Annie Malone-Frett said the tributes presented were a meaningful gift honouring not only the longevity of the centenarians, but also their resilience, wisdom and resourcefulness. She also noted that the moment was used to recognise the profound impact the honourees have had on the community and the strength they have shown in shaping its history and progress.

Mrs Malone-Frett, according to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on September 24, 2024, said: “It is an honour and a distinct privilege to reflect on their collective life journeys and pause in the moment to say with gratitude, thank you for being such wonderful and awesome people, thank you for utilising your God-given talents and patience throughout your differing cycles of life. Thank you for the numerous sacrifices each of you made, to enrich the lives of others.”

'Unwavering faith in God'

The Chief Social Development Officer also thanked the honourees for their unwavering faith in God and their enduring strength to forge ahead even in the midst of challenges.

“Thank you for being that path of connection between the past and the present, but most importantly, thank you for your collective and unforgettable commitments to your families, communities and this Territory,” Mrs Malone-Frett said.

The Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), joined the team in visiting the homes of the seven honorees as part of the day's activities.

Hon Vincent O. Wheatley presented gift baskets

Honourable Wheatley presented gift baskets and extended greetings, offering words of encouragement, appreciation, and goodwill to each centenarian.

“It was an honour and privilege to be in the presence of these centenarians, three of which I know personally and who live on Virgin Gorda,” Honourable Wheatley said.

The minister added, “These remarkable individuals are living connections to our past, offering invaluable lessons and perspectives that shape our present and future. Their enduring contributions to society serve as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, reminding us of the importance of perseverance, community, and history. They are shoulders on which we stand and for this, they deserve our love, admiration, respect, assistance and care.”

National Centenarian Day celebrates the remarkable lives and contributions of individuals who have reached the incredible milestone of living for a century and beyond. It is also an opportunity for society to show its collective gratitude and respect for their wisdom, experience and cultural legacy.

14 Responses to “VI honours 7 centenarians”

  • justin (24/09/2024, 15:22) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    cash might have gone a bit further but the flowers are good
  • Cindy (24/09/2024, 15:43) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    what a place at one time many are dying fast now here we are with 7 living long long long lives
  • THE PHOTOGRAPHER (24/09/2024, 16:00) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    AIN'T READY YET / WE WANT TO SEE THEM CLEARLY , AS THEY DESERVE TO BE RESPECTED WITH A DECENT PHOTOGRAPH
  • ooohhh LOOORRRDDD (24/09/2024, 17:10) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    that Lady in BLUE!!!!! make me want to be 100 tomorrow. Miss! You LOOK GOOOOODDDDTH!!!!!!!!
  • old people (24/09/2024, 17:49) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    These people deserve to recorded on video. These people have been around since 1920s. They can speak about their grandparents who were slaves, or newly freed people. But the VI love to put their old people in OLD AGE HOMES. They love to forget these people bringing them to the fore when it is convenient.these 7 people can speak about the Great March that caused the Legislative Council in the VI to ne restored. They know what it was like to ride on Joan De Arc as a child from Anegada. Ayo jokey. These people can tell you history because they lived it.
    • @old people (25/09/2024, 09:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Which one of them appears to be in a home for you to stress that "VI love to put their old people in OLD AGE HOMES"? I respected, valued and appreciated my parents and took awesome care of them in their old age, so please have a seat. And if some are not in a position to take care of their parents and see it fit to place them where they can receive good care, what is the shame in that? Taking care of the elderly requires money and lots of it. In this economy, where times are so tough, I appreciate that some will truly not have the funds and other resources. My only concern is that when they place them in the homes, they pay special attention to them by visiting them as often as you can and carry what you can afford to make them feel loved and special because they are the gems of these islands
  • ccc (25/09/2024, 07:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    LONG LIFE IS A BLESSING
  • They pon vibe (25/09/2024, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What about Herman Christopher
  • @@old people (25/09/2024, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I know a lot of the old people that build their houses and have them rented and now the children take over and using the money for their own purpose and treat their parents bad, God bless you and the others that respect their parents and take care of them but I hope the ones that treat their parents bad know that what goes around comes right back around and karma knows their addresses
  • lodger (25/09/2024, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well done Betty Yates. Not seen you for some time.
  • Interesting (25/09/2024, 12:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    7 centenarians; 6 women and 1 man. Not a good sign for males. Mr. Hodge might be the last man in the BVI to live past 100 if gun crimes keep increasing.
  • Congrats (25/09/2024, 13:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bob daughter looking so beautiful. Ms. Hodge growing into a beautiful rose. Keep up the good work.
  • Happy Citizen (25/09/2024, 14:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Done Social Development Department!
  • Good Initiative (25/09/2024, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good stuff
    They eat healthy no
    Social media slaves
    They look better than most young Ppl
    They age natural no
    Fillers
    Buccal cheeks removal
    Bbl
    Extra big hips
    Augmented boob
    Fake lash
    Fake hair
    Skimpy clothing
    The list goes on


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