Features

Getting through by the strength of God

Freida Riddell being asisted by Dr. Denise Eldemire Shearer and grandson, Robert Webster as she stands over her cake at her 100th birthday celebration at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, on Saturday. - NORMAN GRINDLEY

IN A ROOM filled with elegantly spread tables of bright yellow and warm candle centrepieces, many happy faces and colourful balloons, a humble Freida Theresa 'Granny' Riddell celebrated an early 100th birthday at the Hilton Hotel last Saturday.

Born on July 29, 1905, Ms. Riddell from Vere, Clarendon, is one of 10 children who all predeceased her. Always a caring person, Freida left school as a teenager to take care of her sick mother.

Ms. Riddell worked at a guesthouse affiliated with the West Indies Sugar Company and Moneymusk that provided accommodation for expatriates. She later operated a one-stop in Race Course. She loved to cook, with patties, totos, coconut drops and grater cakes her speciality. She was also meticulous at housekeeping. She later left her shop to take care of her children's family.

An athletic woman, Ms. Riddell met Vincent Dixon during her time of cycling in Knutsford Park. That friendship blossomed and the union produced two daughters, Enid and Gloria. She has since been blessed with five grandchildren and six great-grand children.

Described as a pleasant, caring and kind woman with a smile that radiates love, Granny's family had many other wonderful things to say about her. All of which they say is because of God.

Proud smile

One grandson told of his grandmother's kindness while he was in prep school. He says she would pack his lunch and ask him if he had eaten everything. One day, he told her he had shared his lunch with a friend and his brother. As he recollected, and with a proud smile, he told the audience that Granny from that day, always packed his lunch for three. This was only one of the many tear-jerking moments of the party.

Another grandchild, Caron Chung, fondly remembers her weekends with Granny. She recalls that Granny would stay with one daughter from Tuesday to Saturday, then visit her home for the weekends. "Granny never missed a weekend."

Everybody commended Ms. Riddell for the strong woman she was, keeping everybody and affairs of all houses in line. Guests all agreed she lived by her philosophy, "the best thing spent on children is time."

Enid remembers this, as she says none of her children were put in a crib to fall asleep. Instead, they were all rocked to sleep on Granny's lap or in her arms.

Ms. Riddell's maternal grandmother, Caroline Lindsay also lived past 100 years.