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‘Cousin Olga’, 100, gets huge centenary bash
By Leon Suseran
Guyana has its newest centenarian. Olga Bernice Elgin nee Profitt, popularly known as ‘Cousin Olga’ of Fyrish, Corentyne, turned 100 over the weekend and the ‘old gyal’ had an extra ordinary birthday celebration, attended by hundreds from near and far.
Her daughter, Joycelyn Elgin, who came especially from Canada to Guyana to plan the big celebration for her mother, said that her mother was very quiet on the night of the party. Visitors from as far as New York and North Carolina attended the birthday celebrations.
“She was just praising God for all the love that surrounded her,” Elgin added.
“She didn’t say much but [Monday] morning, she said, ‘I really got a grip of what went on last night.’ Those were her words and she asked for everybody; she remembered the people that were there and she asked about some people whom she did not see there. She was saying how blessed she is to have all these people around.”
‘Cousin Olga’ surrounded by her immediate family and friends during the special birthday celebrations last weekend
Born at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, Cousin Olga “was a housewife and seamstress. She made a lot of baked goods—she was very good at that.”
Her main dishes were ‘metem’ and soups of all sorts as well as cook up rice. Joycelyn Elgin noted that her mother enjoyed cooking in those days. She recalled that her mom was “a very kind, gentle, loving person and very consistent with her discipline” who brought up four children: Ansee, Pearl, Joycelyn and Avril.
She met Frederick Lewis Johnson Elgin, while vacationing at Fyrish, Corentyne. The couple got married in 1945. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 78.
Elgin said that her mother “didn’t tell you one thing today and changed her mind about it tomorrow.”
At the grand celebration last Saturday were Region Six Chairman, David Armogan who represented President Donald Ramotar; Leader of the Opposition, Ret’d Brig. David Granger, and hundreds of family, friends, children and well- wishers.
Chairman Armogan presented the centenarian with a bouquet while Mr. Granger presented her with a large fruit basket. The Office of the President presented Elgin with a food hamper as well.
Today, she is being cared for by her other daughter, Ancee. She would awake her mother around 06:00 hrs and make for her a cup of coffee after which she would give her a bath followed by breakfast. Later in the day, “she would rest.”
At 100 years, Cousin Olga’s favourite dishes include pepper pot, metagee, ice-cream and cakes. Her hobbies include singing, listening to the radio and reading the scriptures, especially the Psalms.
An injury to her knees a few weeks ago resulted in ‘Cousin Olga’ being confined to a wheel- chair. Her granddaughter, Shannon Elgin, said that her ‘grandma’ was very mobile up to a few years ago, very busy and always cooking something in the kitchen “and was even helping herself…In her 90s she was moving around and doing practically everything—she loved to cook—she did gardening also in her younger years…She used to rear poultry and baked a lot of bread and cakes which she distributed to neighbours .”
The staunch Presbyterian would have her minister and church members visiting the home at Fyrish and having Holy Communion,
Her sight seems to be failing “but her hearing is good.” A loving and supporting husband and family, good food, friends and always reading her Bible and reciting the Psalms and Biblical passages are what her daughter credits for her mom’s longevity.
“My mom is a remarkable lady; very kind…that’s where I learned so many lessons.”
May God continue to bless ‘Cousin Olga’.
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