109-year old is certainly the crowd’s favourite

Jan 15, 2010 News

109-year-old Ismay Spooner and the items donated by Mr. Ramphal

By Melissa Johnson

LITTLE AFRICA, CORRIVERTON – Another Guyanese living abroad came to the assistance of one of Guyana’s oldest residents – 109-year old Ismay Spooner of Little Africa, Eliza and Mary, Corriverton.
On Wednesday, Mr. Goolsarran Ramphal of New York City, through the Kaieteur News handed over a quantity of items including two pairs of footwear, Complan, Ensure, cash and other vitamin supplies and paraphernalia to the centenarian. Mr. Ramphal, speaking from New York City via telephone said Mrs. Spooner represents a time when life was simple and rewarding, “I wish her the best in her days. I hope that she will find the strength for each new day God provides to her and that she is able to live it to the best of her ability.
I hope she continues to dispense advice to the young in her community and share her life’s stories, some of which I am sure are rich with important values of being a respectable citizen in the community we live in and its wider environs.” To Mr. Ramphal, the chance to make a contribution towards a more pleasurable life for the centenarian is a humbling experience, “Mrs. Spooner is really a blessing to all of us.
There is a growing population of our senior citizens who are being neglected by all strata of society and these people are only brought to light in instances like this.
In turn it creates a stir for someone like me who wants to contribute to some of their needs. What happens when my contribution is used up? Then what? Who will be the next in line?” The Good Samaritan is suggesting that a system be implemented to satisfy the needs of persons who would have attained a certain age. This he opined would ensure they spend their last days knowing their contribution to society was not in vain.
Only last week the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission handed over a transistor radio and other items to Mrs. Spooner.
The 109-year old resident is grateful for Mr. Ramphal’s benevolence, “If only I could see him or hear his voice now, I would tell him how thankful I am. I would tell him God Bless him and may he accept Christ as his personal Saviour. May the good Lord keep him safe at all times. The Spirit of God spoke to him and he decided to help me.”
Mrs. Spooner said 2010 appears to be one of her better years, “My only plan this year is to serve God. That is all I can do, give him the glory and honour. He knows it all and understands my heart and needs. I go to Church once a month.”
When she requested a pair of sandals during my last visit, she said she had a date with, “the Man above. Yes, I got a date with God,” This time around when I asked the chatter box if there is anything else she needs, she responded, “Man, you (reporter) know what I like, you decide and tell them what I want, whatever you choose for me I would like it.”
Currently the adorable centenarian is in need of food supplies and linen.
Mrs. Ismay Spooner was born in Barbados on December 27th, 1900 and, along with her parents, came to Guyana sometime around 1910/1911.
Her memory is remarkably good for her age and at times I forget she is 109-years old, “Of course I remember you. You are my friend who comes to see me. You were here the other day and we talked a long time.” she responded to my question.
The feisty ‘ole gal’ and my new best friend said she knows there is a reason I became a part of her life, “You think is by magic you were sent into my life? No, it’s for a reason. Some day you would know the reason but by then I gone. Is the Spirit of the Lord move us and we would always be good friends girl. The Lord works in mysterious ways and we don’t always understand how or know why. If God is not in the picture nothing doing child; nothing doing. May the good Lord keep you safe and you continue being a good girl.”
That’s her modus operandi, she spends her days dishing out advice to the younger ones and sharing tips on how to enjoy a long life like she has. Losing her sight 50 years ago was not enough to prevent her from seeing the best in every situation even when others deem it hopeless.
When the usual old-age aches and pains step in, she brushes them aside and just continues to thank the Lord that she is still in the land of the living.
Mrs. Spooner still moves around the home on her own, strives to be independent as far as possible, and does not like being treated like a helpless person.
She is not the only one in her family to enjoy longevity, her mother made it to 102.
Mrs. Spooner’s only child died many years ago and so did her husband. The centenarian is now in the care of two women – Iris and Virginia February – whose mother was her dear friend many years ago.
Ms. Iris February said she too is amazed at Mrs. Spooner’s memory and prays that her days continue to be as fulfilling as they are today.
For some bizarre reason, Mrs. Spooner believes that she would only live until June this year, she and I argue about this and she insists that she would not go beyond that. I promised her I would make her the most popular girl in Guyana. Let’s all rally round her to ensure that she makes it to her 110th birthday and beyond.