Irene 'Nen Nen' Osborne is 103

Irene ‘Nen Nen’ Osborne is 103

Sep 22, 2015 News

Centenarian Irene Osborne with family members. Back Row- Great
grand-daughter, Shaquanna Bearam, Niece, Celeste Canzius, Care giver,
Sharon McKoy, grand-daughter, Lloyda Garrett. Sitting- Son,
Ian Osborne, Margaret Osborne and Daughter Jeanette Osborne.

Yesterday marked the 103rd birth anniversary of Margaret Irene Osborne. She is affectionately called Nen Nen. She was born to John and Rebecca Babb on September 21, 1912 in the village of Hague, West Coast Demerara. Born into a family of seven siblings, Margaret spent her early days on West Demerara Coast, attending St Jude’s Anglican School, Blankenburg. She later attended sewing classes.
She now lives in Georgetown with her daughter. She has seven grand children and three great grandchildren.
Margaret is not the first centenarian in the family. Her late brother Rupert Babb also achieved this feat. Margaret is the only surviving child of her parents. On June 3, 1944, Margaret married the late Herbert Osborne. The union produced three children; Orlton, Jeanette and Ian Osborne.
Margaret and Herbert moved their young family to Linden where the woman continued to be a homemaker. Her husband worked in the Bauxite Company. Margaret was known to be a loving and committed family woman but she could be feisty, sharp tongued and strong willed.
Those close to her, however, spoke of her calming influence on everyone around her.
Once during a period of unemployment for her husband, she took on domestic work to support her family. The couple was married for 61 years before Herbert’s death in 2006.
This centenarian is fortunate to enjoy relatively good health and condition for her age. Her memory is still sharp. She is able to remember and tell stories of events past and keeps that family history alive. Though her hearing and eyesight are not as good as they once were just a few years ago, she is still mobile and can communicate with all around her, even if, “We have to speak a little louder sometimes.”
Margaret Osborne continued to be the beloved matriarch of her family. She enjoys reading the newspaper and continues to have a keen interest in the politics of the day. She has never not voted in a national election and is the new President, David Granger’s number one fan.
Her birthday wish was to meet him again, having met him at her church, the Church of the Transfiguration, just after he had won the Presidency.
Margaret also enjoys good conversation and catching up on old times with her family. An ardent Anglican, she also enjoys Pentecostal services.