Oldest Seychellois celebrates 105th birthday |28 January 2014

The oldest citizen of Seychelles  Nancy Marie celebrated her 105th birthday on Sunday January 26.

The mother of two children and grandmother to four children was in the company of family and friends at her home in Ma Joie where her 2012 medal for oldest citizen hung proudly on the wall.

Mrs Marie spent her afternoon laughing and joking with close friends and family. Sat around her were member of the National Assembly for English River Kevin Vidot; the district’s administrator Audrey Sanders; Marie-Antoinette Nannon from the programmes division in the community development department; and Marie-Josée Bonne who was representing the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton. They honoured her with gift baskets containing household goods and basic necessities.

Her son Guy Marie proudly mentioned that apart from the occasional cold or flu, his mother never gets sick, nor does she have any other common medical complications the elderly are prone to such as diabetes or hypertension.

He noted that Mrs Marie had a good, tranquil life without burdens, working in the coconut plantation on Praslin, and later as a housekeeper on Mahé.

Guy’s sister, Anne, explained how her mum still does many things around the house, saying that she is very active, and she occasionally cooks, irons, sews and takes care of the grandchildren.

“You’ll be surprised of how well she goes up and down the steep roads of Ma Joie better than most, she even refuses to hold anyone’s hand,” said Anne.

According to relatives, Mrs Marie’s mother also lived till the age of 105.