IT is easy to understand why relatives and friends of centenarian Claire Josephine Norris-Darby, proud daughter of Port Antonio, Portland, didn’t think twice about celebrating her rarity of a birthday twice this year.

In a roomful of laughter, merriment and expressions of gratitude to God for affording her such a long life, the affable Claire was feted on January 20, because her granddaughter Rochelle Lawrence who lives overseas knew she could not make her actual birthday — March 16 — and so decided to come home to celebrate early with her grandmother. The second birthday party took place March 17 at the Port Antonio Methodist Church hall in the Portland capital.

There could easily have been a third celebration of the warm-hearted senior because Claire’s real birthday is February 14, 1924, the famous Valentine’s Day, according to family records. March 16 is the official birthday, based on the date registered on her birth certificate, a not uncommon feature of those times.

Claire, affectionately called “Mama” by all who know her, has now joined a very select group of an estimated 200 living centenarians in Jamaica, two of whom — including her — hail from the eastern parish of Portland.

“Dear Mrs Norris-Darby, on 16th March 2024, you will count among the small, distinguished group of persons to enjoy the blessing of attaining their one hundredth birthday. I congratulate you most heartily and extend warm greetings to you,” Governor General Sir Patrick Allen wrote in his traditional letter to centenarians.

“Celebrating a centenary is indeed a very special occasion. I trust that you will be surrounded by loved ones who will help to make it a truly wonderful time for you as you embrace life and the many blessings you have enjoyed along the way. May God continue to bless you always,” said Sir Patrick.

And surrounded by love she was. On a sunny afternoon that matched her bright mood and the happy chatter that filled the church hall, it was notable that, supported by a walker, Claire was able to help herself from the car that brought her to the hall where numerous friends and relatives were eagerly waiting to embrace her.

“Sister Darby has not got up and preached one sermon [from the pulpit] but she has preached many sermons through the life she has lived in the church. She was that person you can speak to, approachable, that humility, that laugh, that smile and I don’t know if she has ever raised her voice,” recalled church sister Lucille Palmer in her tribute.

“She encouraged us and was always present when we had any function and ready to go out when she was able, so she has preached many sermons without going in the pulpit and is a true child of God. And she has demonstrated in the life she has lived, in and out of the Church that God is number one in her life,” said Palmer to murmurs of “Amen”.

Long-time friend Wilhell Campbell said: “We grew up together, there are many things about us: we played, we sang together and she was very kind-hearted. Her children and grandchildren were never in want of anything as she was willing to make the sacrifice. What she has she shares. She is loved in our district. We are together in the senior citizens’ club and I am very happy to be here as she celebrates her 100th birthday.”

Hailing from Cooper’s Hill in the Fellowship area of the Rio Grande Valley, Claire, when asked what she credits her longevity to, offered simple but profound habits, such as “going to bed early, reading the Bible daily, and never overeating”.

Claire is the only surviving child and eighth of nine offspring — seven brothers, and one sister — of Ruth and Stephen Norris, a homemaker and a farmer, respectively. Until a few years ago, she shared the bond of longevity with her sister, Ina, who passed away in 2019, aged 97, but with whom she had been able to reunite in a memorable six-month visit to England some years before her passing.

In Claire’s childhood days, with the absence of television, children found entertainment in the simple pleasures of playing with each other and exploring nature. Growing up in the Portland countryside there was an abundance of outdoor activities to fill their days, from swimming in the river to climbing fruit trees.

Claire would also assist her mother in picking cocoa from the trees, drying and roasting them, and then selling the chocolate balls at the local market, contributing to the family’s income.

Following the untimely death of her father, her mother, as a now single parent, struggled to care for the nine children. After Claire completed Grade 3, she was sent to live with an aunt in Kingston.

Many years later, she met her first husband, Mr Darby, through a mutual friend. It was love at first sight, and they were married within two weeks. He was the love of her life. Their happiness, however, was short-lived, as he tragically succumbed to cancer when their daughter Beryl was only three years old.

Unable to navigate single parenthood, she returned to her hometown for family support. It was there that she would meet her second husband Simeon Grant, with whom she would have four children: Yvette, Paulette, Lascelles, and Courtland.

“I fondly recall the time she spent at our home in Linstead, where, many evenings, she would lovingly prepare hot cocoa for my sister Rochelle and me. Mama had a wonderful sense of humour and would often give us jokes,” recounts granddaughter Yanique who resides in Canada.

“My mom, Paulette Lawrence, would recall that as children, Mama would ‘tek har hand mek fashion’ and skilfully sew a lot of her children’s clothing. She designed and made everything from their school uniforms to everyday attire. The children could even make requests for special details such as pleats.

“Mama was also an accomplished barber for her sons. She maintained a beautiful flower garden, while also cultivating dasheen, banana, coconut, and gungo peas. Her produce was in demand and being very busy, she would sell directly to the market vendors.”

According to family stories, Claire lived through significant historical events such as the 1938 riots, the Second World War and Jamaica gaining Independence in 1962, with Sir Alexander Bustamante becoming the first prime minister, marking a new chapter in the nation’s history.

Despite fracturing her hip three years ago and now relying on a walker, Claire remains active. She takes a short walk every day, listens to her favourite radio programmes, and reads the newspaper, her Bible, and any book within reach. Additionally, she contributes to meal preparations in small ways, whether it is cleaning ackee or shelling gungo peas.

Claire is celebrated by her five children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is cared for, especially by her daughter Yvette Grant who tends to her daily needs.

At the Port Antonio fete, daughter Paulette reminisced about early life, describing ‘Mama’ as “alert and active” and recalling hearing her recite her favourite poem — “Pretty painted butterfly, what will you do all day? I’ll roam about the sunny skies, with nothing to do but play. Nothing to do but play, all the live-long day. Fly butterfly, fly butterfly don’t waste your time away…”

“She attended Cooper’s Hill All-Age School which is where she learnt the poem. Her hobbies are cooking and reading, she is an avid reader who reads her Bible every day. She loves her church and her God. I love my mother because she is such a warm, kind person and gives and gives and keeps on giving.”

Paulette read the governor general’s citation and presented it to her along with her son, Lascelles Grant, as son-in-law Seman Lawrence serenaded her with the songs, “God made you special” and “What a wonderful world”.

Lascelles shared heartfelt words reflecting on his mother’s impact, saying: “We had to be accountable to her when we went to school and Sunday school, as we had to tell her the main text from Sunday School and the main message from church.

“She was hard-working and always in the field. Mommy, you have left us with a treasure trove of wisdom and life lessons that we can pass on to the next generation.”

Family friend Louistan Gooden said: “It is good to be alive and very good to be 100 as there were four centenarians in the Fellowship area. Two have died, and there are two still alive, and you have joined them and it is real fortunate for me to know you. May you live to see and enjoy many more.”

— With additional reporting by Yanique Lawrence