MILLICENT ST HILL is surrounded by love.

The love of family, her caregivers, neighbours, and church members.

There was hardly room to stand in her small home when all these loving people turned up yesterday to celebrate her centenary.

St Hill, well aware of this love, shared it right back as she received every guest excitedly with hugs and kisses. She was never married and has no children. Her niece Rita St Hill Carr, who said she was the "only family" St Hill had left, flew in from New York for the occasion.

"She is a very kind lady. Anything she had she would give away, but at the same time she was no-nonsense," Carr said.

She said her aunt worked all her life as a housekeeper for former editor of the Sunday Advocate, Ulric Rice. She said St Hill loved to cook and was famous for her fish cakes.

Joan "Betty" Carter of the New Testament Church Of God, Bank Hall, was one of the guests. She is a long-time friend of St Hill and a regular caller.

"She was always giving; so now we won't forget her," Carter said.

Member of Parliament for St Michael West, Michael Carrington, was also there with his son, two daughters and other members of his family. He said he met St Hill during his canvassing and described her as "quite lively with a remarkable memory".

"When we recognised she was turning 100, we felt it should be observed. Unfortunately, we could not get a copy of her birth certificate, as she was apparently born in Panama. So we could not arrange a visit from the Governor General."

St Hill praised God for her long life. Apart from having trouble with her eyes and feet, she said she was happy to be alive - and loved. (CA)