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Alice Alberta Crawford, still ‘saucy’ at 103
Alice Alberta Crawford a/ka Saucy who celebrated her 103rd birthday on Wednesday at Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
It was all laughter and festive chatter on Wednesday evening as folks at Calcutta Village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara joined renowned village ‘hottie’, Alice Alberto Crawford, in celebrating her 103rd birthday.
Still able to mouth ‘fiery remarks’ ‘Saucy’ as she is more popularly known, sat muttering under her breath as she awaited the proceeding to roll on.
Dressed in her favourite orange robe and her purple decorative headwear she loved most, ‘Saucy’ clapped gleefully and attempted to sing along choruses the gathering sang, led by woman pastor Merlene Sobers.
The still frisky and somewhat fretful Saucy was treated on Wednesday to a lavish birthday cake in her favorite colours of yellow, white, red and green, while fruit beverages, mauby and Creole dishes flowed in abundance.
Born on May 27, 1906 to Sophia Jack and Wilbert Crawford, Saucy grew up as a spirited young girl who sported ponytails. There was always fire burning in her eyes. As she grew up she was popular for intimidating her peers and while in her early teens sent fire and brimstone on any young boy who dared to make advances on herself and her close friends.
She was an athletic student at the Catherineville Methodist School (housed in the church building at the time) and soon blossomed into a vivacious teenaged beauty sporting wide luscious hips and a ‘rear end’ that evoked male catcalls wherever she ventured, much to her annoyance.
Though she was never married she bore three children, two of whom are alive today. She is the proud grandmother to 17, and great-grandmother to 35. She attended church regularly and was very active in her choir right up until the years took their toll on her limbs.
She played an important role in the operations of the St. Elmo’s Burial Society which was a vibrant body in the village. That organization is now defunct.
At 103, Saucy is still keeping her relatives on their toes. It is as if she enjoys making them realize that she is no wheelchair bound old woman who must be pampered. She still tries to seductively wiggle her hips which have reduced greatly in size, evoking mirth among those close to her.
Last year Saucy danced and pranced with well-wishers but this year she chose to remain seated.
And of course on Wednesday she was surrounded by her crew of ultra saucy associates among them Barbara Crawford, Hayleen Lyndo, Eleana Ramsey, Hazel Chester and others.
Saucy played a major role in traditional village functions and prepared all the custard the Calcutta Soiree, just as she is famous for preparing the best black pudding and black cake in the village.
Hugs and kisses abound at the birthday celebration but Saucy as usual rolled her eyes heavenward with a look of profound mischief. Many reflected on the days when they attempted to steal her guavas in her backyard only to be faced with Saucy bearing down on them with hair flying and nostrils dilated.
The scene was very emotional for many who wished Saucy all the best, only to be met with smirks, laughter and sometimes malicious remarks as she smirked in satisfaction.
Her granddaughter, Desiree Ifill, had flown in from New York for the birthday function and Saucy occasionally beamed at her with obvious mischief glistening in her eyes.
When the ceremony came to a close, Saucy was more than relieved and ready to hit her bed.
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