Barbados’ latest centenarian is the witty Sylvia Maughan, who engaged Governor General Clifford Husbands in hearty conversation yesterday when he visited her Garden Road No.1, Worthing, Christ Church, residence.
Born in 1910, Maughan is still very alert and attends church at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Jemmotts Lane.
The former housewife has three sons and one daughter and five grandchildren.
Her son, Desmond, recalled his days growing up with his mother.
“She was always a disciplinarian and we had to do things her way and attend church every Sunday.”
Maughan knows everyone by sight, plays dominoes, cards and draughts with her caregiver and still finds time to do crossword puzzles.
She has no major health issues, but her son said: “She has a slight trace of sugar, takes medication for irregular heartbeat, and has some issues with short-term memory.”
Asked what contributed to her longevity, Maughan credited a hearty appetite and a love for cou-cou and red herring, which she asks for regularly.
Her advice for the youth was to go to school and do their work “because if you don’t, you cannot succeed”. (LK)
