Caroline Marline Benn dies at 102

Jul 28, 2016 News

Caroline Marline Benn

Caroline Marline Benn, of Nurney Village, Corentyne, the woman who celebrated her 100th birthday at a gala celebration on August 16, back in 2014, has died.
The woman passed away peacefully at her granddaughter’s home at Lot 192 Amsville Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam last Thursday.
The 102-year-old woman had complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was then taken to her granddaughter’s residence at Amsville, where she died reportedly with relatives and loved ones around.
Back in 2014 when she had reached the coveted milestone, she was feted at a sumptuous birthday party at the nearby Kildonan Community Centre. There her two children, family, friends, Government and Opposition officials, church members and villagers among others were those who threw the party.
She had stated back then, that she had felt blessed to be a centenarian and gave all praise and thanks to God.
Born to Delia Benn and Francis Marks, in 1914, at Nurney Village, she had stated that she never left Nurney. Her parents also lived in the said village.
Recalling her childhood days, she had said that “all dem fancy things were not around; we used coconut oil to rub our skin. We would plait our hair and put on ribbons.”
“I went to the Scots School, but I left at Standard Three. I had to assist with household work when everybody gone to the farm.”
After working on the farm, they would thereafter go to the Missionary Church for service.
She was never married, but had three children, two of whom are alive.
During her time she worked various jobs in and around her community, and described the period as “enjoyable days”. She reflected on how much she loved farming and fishing.
“We would go into the trenches and catch fish using our hands and a seine.”
She had intoned that one of her mantras was “Honour your parents because it’s God’s will that allowed me to live to meet 100.” She also urged everyone to try and observe the 10 commandments.
Comparing the youths of today versus those of her time, the woman had said, “In my time we did not have computers and other stuff, but we were well brought up by our elders. We had great respect for them; we could not pass an elder without saying good morning or good day. Today, barely out of their diapers, kids are cursing in the streets.”
She had used the old time phrase ‘Dis time nah long time,’ ‘In my younger days, you could have run around naked, without being molested sexually.

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