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“There’s no secret ingredient to a long life” –says Sister Agnes who turns 104 today
By Trishan Craig
“There’s no secret ingredient to a long life; it is all in your mind,” says Sister Agnes Clarke of 149 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown. She is celebrating 104 years of life today.
Sister Agnes Clarke
Sitting in her bedroom in a pretty purple, cotton dress, the very humble and open woman was more than eager to share what she remembers about her life. Despite having a challenge of hearing clearly and a shortage in memory, Sister Agnes had much to share.
Agnes Iris Clarke was born on August 4, 1915 in the village of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara. She is the eldest of 10 children and has since outlived her siblings who according to her, died young.
She never married, however, she has twin daughters and a son along with many grandchildren.
Education was a challenge in her home because of financial issues. “I attended the Lodge School, then the Ketley Primary School. For a secondary education, I went to Robert Hart School but I had a lot of moving around in school and I eventually had to leave because of financial issues.”
She later moved to Georgetown after quitting school to start up her own family. She would still return to Den Amstel to visit her parents and siblings.
Nevertheless, she favoured her moments in school. She recounted that she had to catch the steamer to reach to school once she lived across the river. On one occasion, she fell into the water as she was attempting to exit the boat.
“I nearly drowned but somebody jumped in and save me. I guess it is true when they say if you’re not supposed to die a certain way, it won’t happen.”
She added that her father spent almost the whole week away from home and would only return on weekends. However, her mother played a major role ensuring that she and her siblings studied their schoolwork.
Growing up, Sister Agnes loved to climb trees and play all sorts of games in her neighbourhood. “Nobody could have beat me to climb up a tree or run. I was always climbing a tree, except the tall ones.”
“One time I tried to climb a tall tree and it was nice going up but when time reach to come down, I didn’t know how to. Steady people used to tell me to stop climbing but I always up in a tree.”
According to the centenarian, she had many brothers so they played cricket a lot. When her father returned home, it was a jolly time in the neighbourhood for the kids because he would always return with goodies for them.
She stated that her father had a ‘bow foot’ so if they were playing in the streets when he comes home they would run to him and pass through his legs. “My father was a friend to almost all the children around him because he would bring back things for us and we liked running through his foot like an arch.”
Finding a job back then was a challenge said Sister Agnes. Starting out, she had to do domestic work for private individuals.
Although she was the eldest sibling and her mother took them to the markets to sell provisions, Ms. Clarke learnt sewing from a seamstress in her area and she took up the profession.
“When my younger siblings got old enough to go with my mother to the markets, I decided to look for another source of income. I got a job at the clothing factory where I sewed for them.”
“When my twin got big, it was difficult to find footwear for both of them so I used to sew a top for a shoe and then take it to the shoe-man to find a bottom. You better believe it, soon after that the shoe-man started using that remedy in his business.”
As a result of Ms. Clarke having trouble walking since a year ago, she spends most of her time in her bedroom and another room in the upper flat of her home.
Apart from visits by friends and family daily, she has a number of books around her bed, which she reads to occupy her time. Family members assist her to move to other parts of the house when necessary.
She mentioned, “I don’t feel a certain way because I outlived my generation but what I can say is that it is not easy especially how I can’t walk for long periods as compared to before.”
Today friends and brethren from her church will gather along with family members to celebrate the life of Sister Agnes.
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