Lillian Pearson is 102 years young
Lillian Pearson celebrates her 102nd birthday
(CNS): Lillian Pearson celebrated her 102nd birthday 11 September with three generations of her family and members of her church at the Friday evening gathering. Those taking part at her home in Spotts-Newlands paid tribute to her and her influence on their lives.
Pastor Alson Ebanks said that it was no ordinary event they were celebrating. He explained that it “was not just that ‘Sister Lillian’ had turned 102, but that she was mentally alert, with no signs of degenerative diseases. She is able to converse, read, do her word puzzles and handle her own affairs as well as most of those present.”
In addition to sharing her birthday cake and other refreshments, the gathering entertained Mrs. Lillian with tightly harmonised hymns, which she clearly enjoyed, the pastor added.
“This amazing lady has lived through many global, regional and local disasters, including two world wars, the three most devastating hurricanes to hit the Cayman Islands — the tragic hurricane of 1932, Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Paloma,” Ebanks said.
He explained that the hurricane that she most remembers, however, was one that she did not personally experience, and that was the storm of 27 September 1941, which took the life of her husband and left her a young widow with six children and one on the way. That hurricane did not hit Grand Cayman, but 22 men, including her husband and several close relatives, were lost when the schooner Majestic was torn from its moorings and destroyed off the coast of Nicaragua.
Mrs. Lillian made a point of reminding those present that it was only through the grace and help of God that she was able to raise her family and overcome an illness that took her to death’s door. She also continued to recognise and thank the various people (all now deceased) who helped her “put food on the table” as she attempted to raise her seven children in those difficult years.
Mrs. Lillian is the only living maternal first cousin of Aunt Julia Hydes, who turned 106 on January of this year.
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