CENTENARIAN NENA THWAITES has two plaques for crossing the 100-year-old mark. However, to her, these plaques pale in comparison to the fact that she has been blessed with a long life.
Mrs. Thwaites gave her birth date as May 23, 1903. She is the mother of two children, George Thwaites, attorney-at-law and deacon in the Roman Catholic Church and Mary Henriques. She has nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition, she is a devout Catholic and a lover of classical music.
Mrs. Thwaites received the plaques from Queen Elizabeth II last year as well as another from the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church for her contribution to the church. In addition, she has a laminated birth certificate from the Registrar General's Department and pictures of her children on her walls to complete her collection of precious items.
She remembers her childhood days and describes them as being fun-filled. She even reminisced on her time while attending Wolmer's Girls and when she got her first job at a law office in Kingston.
"I worked at a law firm called Harvey and Bourke for seven years after leaving Wolmer's and I must say it was valuable experience for me," she said.
Mrs. Thwaites has lived at St. Joseph's Pines for the past 17 years. Her nurse, Yvonne Corrodas, said before she broke her hip several years ago, Mrs. Thwaites would sometimes be seen tending to her plants on her porch at the home. She adds she sometimes went to the chapel to pray. However, these days due to her injuries, the chaplain often visits her for prayers.
Her injuries have meant that she has to be assisted whenever she moves. However, that is the only drawback she has for her age. She reads without her glasses and hears fairly well. She has no hypertension or other illness and she still tends to her plants, albeit with the help of her nurse. She is also described as being very sharp and healthy.
However, none of her passions come close to being alive for 100 years.
"I've had a long and happy life. I didn't know I would be here until now. I've had no sickness and the only thing bad that has happened to me is that I fell and injured myself. So my nurse has to walk with me but apart from that I've had a long and happy life," she said.
She is also grateful that she has good health and sings praises for St. Joseph Pines.
"I've enjoyed my stay here and my nurse looks after me. The staff here is very helpful and kind to me," she said.
Meantime, Miss Corrodas said working with Mrs. Thwaites has been a fulfilling experience for her.
"She's a very warm and friendly person who you can talk to. She enjoys her music and her gardening and is very pleasant," she said.
