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Aunt Bobby's long family tradition

Muriel Coombs - Contributed

MURIEL COOMBS IS from a family whose members have walked the face of the earth beyond the allotted three score and 10 years God allotted man. Hence, it is no surprise that she has lived to be 105 and beyond.

"She has a sister in New York that is 103, and her mother died in her 90s. Most of her sisters and brothers died at 100 or close to 100," said 18-year-old Marsha Westcarth, Coombs' great-granddaughter.

According to Miss Westcarth, Muriel, 'Mommy or Aunt Bobby', was born on April 24, 1898. She is the oldest person living in the community of Breadnut Hill in St. Ann, where she has lived for most of her life. She is described as having an excellent memory, often telling relatives of her more youthful days.

Vivid memory

She has a very vivid memory. She remembers everything and everybody. She remembers things when she was a little girl and even tell us that she used to go to Claremont Market," Westcarth said.

But a vivid memory is not the only thing of value the centenarian possesses. She also has a picture of herself from way back when she was a youngster as well as a picture of her parents. Both were shown to THE WEEKEND STAR.

Coombs spoke once during THE WEEKEND STAR's visit and that was to instruct her family that she wished to be moved.

"Mi want someone to lift me up," she said near the end of the visit.

Except for some hearing loss, Muriel Coombs is described by her great-granddaughter as being healthy. Her great-granddaughter says she occasionally walks to the bathroom or to the verandah from her bedroom but does not go much further due to the failing strength in her legs.

"She is in much better health than her sister in New York because her sister has Alzheimer's but she is fine," Westcarth said, adding that Coombs gets regular check-ups from her doctor, who visits her frequently.

Sometimes, though, she does scare them a little but not in a conventional manner. "She has a lot of dreams and she will see her deceased family members who will say they are coming for her and so she will be afraid," said Westcarth.

Westcarth said it has been worthwhile living with her great-grandmother. "Being with our great-grandmother, living with her has been an experience. She knows every one of us and is always asking for everybody," she said.

Edward Coombs, one of Muriel's three surviving children, said whenever he visits his mother she often uses his hands to recognize him. "If I come to her she holds on to my hands and in a few seconds she remembers it's me," he said.

Although Muriel says she is going home every day, her family wants her to be around for as long as possible.

"We will be celebrating her 106th birthday next year and we want her to live as long as possible," said Westcarth.