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Olive Blackmore turns 101
A dedicated mother of 10 was honoured yesterday at a small family gathering to celebrate her 101st birthday at Lot 341 Cummings Street, Georgetown.
101-year-old Mrs. Blackmore decked out for birthday
Olive Blackmore, called “Bolly”, was surrounded by her son, relatives and friends. She was treated to a fine family lunch at her residence. Blackmore who has eight surviving children was described as a caring, dedicated and passionate woman who saw her duty as being the provider and keeper of her offspring.
Mrs. Blackmore has eight grand children and six great grandchildren. Many of her surviving children live abroad. Marvin Blackmore, one of Mrs. Blackmore’s sons, said that the gifts and greetings his mother received from his siblings were endless.
The 101-year-old woman is a diabetic, her family said, and has to take medication, but her illness has no bars on her, the son said. She still finds herself performing domestic duties in the home.
Time has taken a toll on her hearing and her sight seems to be deteriorating, but again those pose no barriers for the pushy senior, according to her son.
He also said that his mother is being cared for by a live-in house attendant. That attendant, Eugenie Bond, has the privilege of spending most of her time with Mrs. Blackmore. And although Mrs. Blackmore may need some assistance in taking care of herself the woman prefers her independence.
Mrs. Blackmore, in her prime, was a seamstress and took her place in the home as a housewife, dedicating herself to her family, her son said. In 1954, after the death of her husband, the mother took a different course. She vowed to care her children at whatever cost.
Mr. Blackmore said that his mother never remarried. What he said he does know is that his mother showed courage and displayed the true meaning of motherly love when she took on the burden of raising eight kids on her own. He said that his mother battled it out and raised her children, trying to instill the best qualities in them as she could.
One thing she pressed for, Mr. Blackmore said, is knowledge of friends. He said his mother also warned and cautioned them about friends. “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are,” she would say.
Mother Blackmore, by whatever means, provided for all her children and simply asked that they work their best to make positive instruments of themselves.
Mrs. Blackmore is an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church at New Garden and North Road and during her period as a single parent raising eight children, the woman never gave up any of her kids not even after being asked by the church whether she wanted to place any in an orphanage.
For that decision, Mr. Blackmore said he is more than grateful because his siblings were never separated.
Now, Mr. Blackmore said, his mother just enjoys relaxing and spending her days lounging at her window. Mrs. Blackmore enjoys outings. She especially likes going to the seawall for the fresh air where she would enjoy her favorite snack, popcorn.
Mrs. Blackmore, loves singing and dancing. Yesterday, she was heard singing a gospel and clapping to the tune. One of her favourite artistes is Jim Reeves, a husband she adopted without a ceremony, her son said.
The family hanged out yesterday and kept their senior relative’s company, honouring her for her care, love and dedication. They look forward to as many more birthdays with Mrs. Blackmore.
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