Latest update May 3rd, 2026 12:45 AM
Jan 27, 2014 News
“Celebrating her 101st birth anniversary surrounded by four generations of descendants is the best gift that I could ask for.” The words of Edmay McIntosh as she observed yet another milestone at her Friendship, East Bank Demerara home yesterday.
The Centenarian who describes herself as “a Guyanese by heart” was born on 26/ 01l/ 1913 in Paramaribo, Suriname but migrated to Guyana at “a very young age, with her parents at a time when English speaking persons were called to return to their homeland.”
“I came to Guyana sometime after the war…I lived all over Georgetown, Friendship. I was raised by my father because my mother died when I was young but I spent most of my life in the Corentyne, Berbice before I married my husband.”
Although Mrs. McIntosh has four children, all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their children refer to her as “mommy.”
When Kaieteur news visited the centenarian’s residence yesterday her great grandchildren were busy preparing all her favourite dishes.
“Mommy loves nice food like curry chicken and cook up rice,” her eldest great-granddaughter Maria Watts said.
“We have a celebration like this every year because we don’t know how much longer we will have mommy with us, we want to enjoy every moment of it,” She added.
Mrs. McIntosh now has limited mobility but possesses a keen mind and vivid memory.
She says her secret to longevity is hard work and good food.
“I used to prepare cow heel Soup with pigtail on Sundays, that‘s what I would like. People always ask me how I so old and my memory is intact. I have everything anyone could ask for, everyone takes care of me and I’m contented.”
“I used to do domestic work to look at my children. I worked hard to care for them. I was active until the day I fell and broke my rib.”
“I used to look at my grandchildren. I just love children,” Mrs. McIntosh noted.
A member of the St Agnes Anglican Church in Friendship, Mrs. McIntosh loves to read her bible.
“I still read my bible and the newspaper… I like to read and although I don’t get to go church like before, the priest would still come and give me communion.”
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.