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Mrs. Osborne celebrates 101 in style
By Kiana Wilburg
The person who said 40 is the new 30 certainly never met centenarian Margaret Irene Osborne; a feisty lover of “good music”, and the wonders of life.
Osborne, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, makes 101 seem like the new 30.
In this mystery we call life; there are many things to be thankful for. But one of Osborne’s greatest accomplishments is that she lived a life that was fulfilling and well spent.
Margret Irene Osborne
Born on September 21, 1912, the dedicated Anglican is one who also enjoys Pentecostal services and is the daughter of the late John and Rebecca Babb.
Osborne grew up in the village of Hague, West Coast Demerara. In her younger days, she attended St Jude’s Primary School at Blankenburg, a village some two miles east of her home, and later attended sewing classes.
Osborne was surrounded by family and close friends yesterday to celebrate another year in good health and strength. She told me that it was only until she was 32, that she found true love, her husband –Herbert Osborne.
“In my young years, when the times were different, you never use to do certain things by yourself. Males were not allowed to visit the house at any time and if you were going anywhere you were accompanied by a cousin or siblings and in some cases, even your mother,” she expressed.
June 3, 1944, marked a very integral part of her life. It was the day she pledged her life to her one and only, and vowed that she would stay by his side through sickness and in health for as long as they both shall live.
And, she kept that vow. She honoured those sacred matrimonial words until her soul mate passed away in 2006.
The Osborne family settled for some time in Linden. The centenarian was a home maker and the manager of the house whilst her husband worked with the Bauxite Company.
Mrs. Osborne was always known by her family members to be a strong woman who supported her family during the seemingly gray patches of life.
This has been evident throughout her life to all that are close to her. A case in point was when her husband was unemployed for some time. This brave woman worked several jobs which were domestic in nature and did what she could to provide for her family.
With her hands clasped and eyes lowered, as though she remembered one of their favourite moments together, she said, “And even today, I …I still miss him. He was an excellent father, husband and friend. We did so many things together. And you know, when I tell him not to do something he would never do it. He listened to me. I sure do miss his companionship.”
As she took a deep breath, and rose her stare from the ground, she smiled and told me with much enthusiasm that she feels blessed to be alive and thanks the Lord for her three children; Orlton, Jeanette and Ian Osborne.
After the death of Mr. Osborne the sprightly grandmother who has two great grandchildren, moved to Georgetown where she now resides with her daughter, Jeanette.
The centenarian who is affectionately referred to as, “Nen Nen,” enjoys good health. She also has a very good memory and her vision and hearing still remain intact.
“Oh no, I do everything for myself…with the assistance of my daughter from time to time. But I can clean, bathe myself and press and all of that for my age,” she said in a most confident tone.
While she enjoys reading the newspaper and continues to have a keen interest in politics, this grandmother loves a good conversation and catching up on old times with her family.
When asked about her favourite dish, she said, “Well… I like me chicken and any other food could come after. I am usually contented with what is given to me.”
It was funny when she told me some of the things she hates about this era, in particularly, “rude children.”
“I love children. But when they start to behave like upstarts I don’t like that. Back in my day it seemed children were more mannerly. But I always maintain the adult position when I am speaking to young people but, goodness, I just can’t get along with the rude children sometimes.”
The Christian centenarian who loves being candid, said that her advice to the young women of today would be, “Walk in the way you should and trust in God. He will never fail you.
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