Praslin’s Antonia Antoine celebrates 101st birthday |07 December 2021
Centenarian Antonia Antoine celebrated her 101st birthday on Sunday December 5 in the presence of her closest loved ones.
The former educator celebrated the momentous occasion with a spiritual blessing and brief ceremony in which she was showered with love and gift hampers, from President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan, National Assembly member for Baie Ste Anne Praslin Churchill Gill and the parish, among others.
Mrs Antoine, nee Dugasse, hails from Praslin where she still resides, surrounded by her daughter Patricia Louise, and four grandchildren. She has five great grandchildren at present.
As told by her grandson Michael Antoine, Mrs Antoine was in her younger years an educator, and then proceeded to work with the Ministry of Environment, Fond B’Offay, Praslin, before retirement.
According to Mr Antoine, the centenarian has a great memory, and is able to remember fables of the past, and recognise those around her.
Physically, she is fairly strong but suffers from problems with her knees, and some slight muscular issues with her hands. As of late, she has become hard of hearing.
Mrs Antoine is cared for by a carer, the wife of one of her grandchildren and on a regular day enjoys being outside with the aid of her wheelchair, while she spends the evenings and nights watching movies up until late. On such days, she usually takes the following day to rest.
Laura Pillay