Celebrating Bajan Centenarians in Ontario
Barbados is one of the leading countries in the world with the highest number of centenarians per capita, and as demonstrated by Louise Cumberbatch-Hunte of Scarborough, who passed away at 108, and the other centenarians recognized below, the distinction of being "long-livers" is not limited to Bajans residing in Barbados.
BBCA has been celebrating Bajan centenarians in Ontario since 2012 and to date we have had the privilege of recognizing and honouring all but one of the centenarians noted below at the annual Barbados Ball.
If you know of a Barbadian living in Ontario who is a centenarian or will be 100 years old within the next twelve (12) months, please send us an email at [email protected] and advise us of the centenarian's name, as well as the name and contact information of the caregiver or relative we should reach out to.
BBCA has been celebrating Bajan centenarians in Ontario since 2012 and to date we have had the privilege of recognizing and honouring all but one of the centenarians noted below at the annual Barbados Ball.
If you know of a Barbadian living in Ontario who is a centenarian or will be 100 years old within the next twelve (12) months, please send us an email at [email protected] and advise us of the centenarian's name, as well as the name and contact information of the caregiver or relative we should reach out to.
Mrs. Louisa Cumberbatch-Hunte [1907 - 2016 ]
Mrs. Cumberbatch-Hunte was born in Bellair, St. Philip, Barbados on September 21, 1907 and except for some challenges with her eyesight, remained in full control of her faculties until her death. She had one sister who lived in Barbados and passed away at the age of 102. Her mother died at 93.
Mrs. Cumberbatch-Hunte attended Beulah School in St. Philip and Grace Hill School in St. Michael. She had four children, was grandmother of 25, great grandmother of over 30 and great-great grandmother of 6. She immigrated to Canada in 1974 to live with one of her sons and his family to help raise her grandchildren Sharon and Michael. She lived with Sharon in her final years.
Mrs. Cumberbatch-Hunte was born in Bellair, St. Philip, Barbados on September 21, 1907 and except for some challenges with her eyesight, remained in full control of her faculties until her death. She had one sister who lived in Barbados and passed away at the age of 102. Her mother died at 93.
Mrs. Cumberbatch-Hunte attended Beulah School in St. Philip and Grace Hill School in St. Michael. She had four children, was grandmother of 25, great grandmother of over 30 and great-great grandmother of 6. She immigrated to Canada in 1974 to live with one of her sons and his family to help raise her grandchildren Sharon and Michael. She lived with Sharon in her final years.
Ms. Mildred Franklin [ 1916 - 2017]
Born in St. Philip, Barbados on May 8, 1916, Ms. Franklin is one of four children of Miriam Franklin.
After attending Carrington Village School, Ms. Franklin worked as a seamstress before emigrating to Canada in1966 to join her daughter and pursue other work opportunities. She worked as a Teacher's Assistant and in a Daycare in Toronto.
Ms. Franklin had two children, four grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Born in St. Philip, Barbados on May 8, 1916, Ms. Franklin is one of four children of Miriam Franklin.
After attending Carrington Village School, Ms. Franklin worked as a seamstress before emigrating to Canada in1966 to join her daughter and pursue other work opportunities. She worked as a Teacher's Assistant and in a Daycare in Toronto.
Ms. Franklin had two children, four grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Mrs. Elise Headley [1915 - ]
Mrs. Headley was born in St. Philip, Barbados on December 14, 1915 to Joseph and Blanche Hart. One of five children, she attended Miss Matthews' Infant School, Miss Gittens School for Older Girls and Mrs. Springer Girls School.
Mrs. Headley was married to Ivan Headley and had eleven children, eight of which are alive. She also has seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.
In 1978, Mrs. Headley emigrated to Canada to join five of her children. She enjoys going to church and watching TV; and resides in Brampton with her daughter Yvonne. She attributes her longevity to "a gift from God".
Mrs. Headley was born in St. Philip, Barbados on December 14, 1915 to Joseph and Blanche Hart. One of five children, she attended Miss Matthews' Infant School, Miss Gittens School for Older Girls and Mrs. Springer Girls School.
Mrs. Headley was married to Ivan Headley and had eleven children, eight of which are alive. She also has seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.
In 1978, Mrs. Headley emigrated to Canada to join five of her children. She enjoys going to church and watching TV; and resides in Brampton with her daughter Yvonne. She attributes her longevity to "a gift from God".
Mrs. Gwendoline Louisa Adessa Ramsay [1914 - 2014]
Mrs. Ramsay was born in Roberts Land, St. Michael, Barbados in 1914 and attended South District Girls School in St. George. Married in 1930 and widowed in 1943, she was the mother of 6, grandmother of 20 and great-grandmother of 14.
A seamstress, Mrs. Ramsay immigrated to Canada in 1971 to live with one of her sons and his family. She was an excellent cook who always put on a 'great spread' and family and friends who had the privilege of eating her Cassava Pone, Apple Cake, Orange Cake and Black Cake claim that 'there is no one who could bake like her. Known also for her charm and good humour, she was loved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Ramsay was born in Roberts Land, St. Michael, Barbados in 1914 and attended South District Girls School in St. George. Married in 1930 and widowed in 1943, she was the mother of 6, grandmother of 20 and great-grandmother of 14.
A seamstress, Mrs. Ramsay immigrated to Canada in 1971 to live with one of her sons and his family. She was an excellent cook who always put on a 'great spread' and family and friends who had the privilege of eating her Cassava Pone, Apple Cake, Orange Cake and Black Cake claim that 'there is no one who could bake like her. Known also for her charm and good humour, she was loved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Lydia Richardson [1914 - 2015]
Born in Barbados on January 28th, 1914, Mrs. Richardson was one of seven children of Herbert and Lydia Johnson.
In 1934 she move to Aruba where she became a dressmaker and married Robert Richardson. She emigrated to Canada after her husband's death and worked as a Nannie for over twenty years.
Mrs, Richardson died two days before her 101st birthday. She is survived by five of her siblings. Her only child, Eileen who was born in Boscobel, St. Peter, Barbados in 1931 and became a nurse in England, died in Cambridge Ontario a few years before her mother.
Born in Barbados on January 28th, 1914, Mrs. Richardson was one of seven children of Herbert and Lydia Johnson.
In 1934 she move to Aruba where she became a dressmaker and married Robert Richardson. She emigrated to Canada after her husband's death and worked as a Nannie for over twenty years.
Mrs, Richardson died two days before her 101st birthday. She is survived by five of her siblings. Her only child, Eileen who was born in Boscobel, St. Peter, Barbados in 1931 and became a nurse in England, died in Cambridge Ontario a few years before her mother.
Mrs. Gwendoline Eileen Thorne [1914 - 2018]
Born in Glebe Land, St. George in 1914, Mrs. Thorne attended Belmont Girls School, St. Michael. She came to Canada in 1959 and settled in Montreal, where she worked at the Montreal General Hospital as a Food Service Supervisor.
Mother of one daughter (Helena), Mrs. Thorne moved to Kitchener, Ontario to be near her brother Julian, who relocated from Montreal. She lives independently and stays connected to family and friends by telephone. After many years of being active in the Caribbean community in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, she now stays up to date on current affairs by watching local and international TV. She continues to enjoy needlepoint and still crochets baby blankets for the children and grandchildren of her many friends.
Born in Glebe Land, St. George in 1914, Mrs. Thorne attended Belmont Girls School, St. Michael. She came to Canada in 1959 and settled in Montreal, where she worked at the Montreal General Hospital as a Food Service Supervisor.
Mother of one daughter (Helena), Mrs. Thorne moved to Kitchener, Ontario to be near her brother Julian, who relocated from Montreal. She lives independently and stays connected to family and friends by telephone. After many years of being active in the Caribbean community in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, she now stays up to date on current affairs by watching local and international TV. She continues to enjoy needlepoint and still crochets baby blankets for the children and grandchildren of her many friends.
