100-year-old Eveline calls for love and peace

As violence among young people continues to be an ill in society, centenarian Eveline Lyte is encouraging the youth to show more love towards one another.

Lyte, who celebrated her milestone surrounded by friends and family on Monday at her Wilson Hill, St John home, told the NATION that in her time villagers looked out for each other.

She said that if more people showed love for each other, Barbados would be a more peaceful place.

“I want them to keep away from selfishness and learn to give and share with others who are less fortunate. If they learnt to give of their last and think nothing of it, we would live in a better place.”

Lyte, who returned to Barbados in 1978 after living in England for 20 years, where she worked at Phillips Factory, was a seamstress in her youthful days and boasted about making the fanciest African-inspired outfits for customers.

The birthday girl, who outlived her three siblings, said she enjoyed cooking and baking and her favourite foods were stew dumpling, yam, rice, pork, chicken, turkey and sweet potato.

Lyte, who has a slight vision problem, took care of herself until she fell in May and was injured. A morning and night nurse have been looking after her since then.

Although she has no children, Lyte raised several children in her St John community.

She has a good memory and can recall events from childhood.

She was showered with gifts and birthday cards to commemorate the occasion. (SB)