‘Feisty’ Stoute makes it to 100

Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave being greeted by centenarian Eloise Stoute. (Sandy Pitt)

Sat, August 25, 2012 - 12:04 AM

FOUR GENERATIONS of women greeted Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave at the Geriatric Hospital yesterday.

The occasion was Eloise Stoute’s 100th birthday, which she celebrated with her family, friends and staff of the hospital.

The centenarian spoke with a strong voice, answering the Head of State’s questions with wit, prompting the small crowd around her to often break out in laughter.

Her granddaughter Elaine King said Stoute was “the best grandmother in the world” and reminisced about some of her fondest memories.

“On my confirmation she got me a dress made by Carmine Prescott and the most expensive Clarke shoes. She said I had to look like a bride, and I did,” she said.

King said her grandmother also comforted her at night during storms as she used to be afraid of thunder and lightning. She said Stoute was a no-nonsense kind of woman who did not spare the rod.

“If I did anything wrong, out came the tamarind rod, and I got it a lot.”

King said she, her mother Velda King and daughter Chantal King had all flown in from Montreal, Canada, to be there for their matriarch’s special day.

Stoute came to the Geriatric Hospital in 2005. Staff described her as “feisty and clever” with a hearty appetite. They said she could dress and feed herself as well as support her own weight, even though she could no longer walk. Besides that and a mild case of dementia, she was in good health.

Stoute used to pick cotton and cut sugar cane on various plantations as well as sell sea eggs. Never marrying, she spent her life working hard, something she was quite proud of. She said today’s youth needed more discipline. (CA)