Seychelles gets new centenarian |10 July 2021
Mrs Cesar on her 100th birthday yesterday (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
By Laura Pillay
Marie Rosine Cesar of North East Point, Glacis, celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, becoming Seychelles’ newest centenarian.
To mark the occasion, a brief ceremony was organised at her residence in the afternoon, whereby the celebrated centenarian was presented with gift hampers and beautiful bouquets of flowers from the President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan, the district administrators’ office of Glacis, the Elderly and Disabled Persons division of the Family department, as well as from Hon. Regina Esparon, elected member of the National Assembly representing Glacis.
To kick off the ceremony, Pastor Abel Ntep of the Seventh Day Adventist Church blessed Mrs Cesar, and thanked God for the blessing bestowed upon her over the years, for protection and guidance, and for the fact that she is in sound health.
Pastor Ntep also presented Mrs Cesar with a gift basket on behalf of the Church, and prayed that she be blessed with many more years to come.
Mrs Cesar had seven children, five of whom have sadly since passed on.
She has a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, although they could not be present for the celebrations yesterday, on account of public health and safety protocols in place against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although she is generally in sound health, Mrs Cesar was three years ago diagnosed with dementia.
Over the three years, her youngest daughter, Marie Doudee, has helped her to get back on her feet, as she was bedridden at the time she was diagnosed.
“Mummy has been a person who has always been devoted to her family. She has always enjoyed working, although she enjoyed mainly domestic work. She has always done her best to raise us the right way and teach us good life values. She is also someone who really enjoys her home, and has over the years helped us all to grow and raise our children,” Ms Doudee noted.
On a typical day, Mrs Cesar is looked after by carer Maryto Ferley, and spends most of her day, after an early-morning rise, under the home veranda where she can see the passers-by and enjoy the cool breeze. Her daughter notes that she also has quite an appetite, and enjoys yoghurts, omelettes and garlic bread.
