Contributed

Centenarian Estephana 'Aunt Espie' Wilson

A grand centenarian celebration

Bjorn Burke

Staff Reporter

At 100 years old, Estephana Wilson continues to be in high spirits, as several family members and friends attended her birthday celebrations held in St Elizabeth recently.

Affectionately called Aunt Espie, she was born to parents George and Cathrine Wilson on August 22, 1913 in Mulgrave, St Elizabeth. She was the last of six children.

Nothing but glowing remarks were articulated by relatives and friends of Aunt Espie as they recalled that she is a kind, tender soul, with a special affinity for children. Having raised a number of children alongside her own, she was known to give selflessly to those in need. Aunt Espie has a total of seven children.

She attended the Merrywood All-Age School, located in the parish, before becoming a career farmer.

The centenarian became fluent in Spanish when her uncle taught her the language, having been exposed to it himself while working in Panama, assisting in the completion of the Panama Canal.

After the death of her first husband, her brother, whom she visited quite frequently in the town of Lacovia in St Elizabeth, wrote to her informing her that he had a husband for her, who he reckoned would be a right fit. Consequently, she moved to Lavocia in 1956, marrying Daniel Robinson eight years later in 1964.

Faith is of great importance to Aunt Espie as she is an active member at the Brethren Church in Lacovia.

"She loves the Lord with all her heart - never says something without mentioning God or the Bible," remarked a family member.

Twenty-three grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and countless great-great-grandchildren later, Aunt Espie is still in fairly good health. She is at present blind with cataracts a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes gradually opaque, resulting in blurred vision. She also has glaucoma, As a result, her granddaughter, Nadine, cares for her.

Speaking highly of her grandmother, Kerry-Ann Flanigan told THE STARLife and Times that the centenarian remains optimistic and in high spirits despite her ailments.

"She worries at times, but her spirit is always high. She has made her name. She is a legend in her time. There is only one Aunt Espie," remarked Flanigan.