100 years old and still volunteering
There may be an indecent amount of crime and violence in Belize today…but there’s also plenty of love. For one Belize City woman: a century’s worth. Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
On Saturday, Ethel Fairweather will be celebrating her one-hundredth birthday. She still manages to get up at six each morning and keep herself busy throughout the day. During the course of her long life, she raised twelve children and cared for many more as a long-time volunteer with the Belize Red Cross.
Fairweather says she was always preoccupied with her family and her work and never thought about how long she might live. Even today she remains very much concerned about the country’s youngest citizens.
Ethel Fairweather, 100 years old
“Well let us see that they do everything the right way and don’t make mistakes.”
The Fairweather children, ranging in age from fifty-three to seventy-four years old, have been gathering at the family home to help plan their mother’s centennial. They have been going through family albums and speaking about the good ole days growing up with mom.
Barbara Harris, who seems to have followed in her mother’s footsteps dedicating most of her life to community service, says her mother was always outspoken and did what was right for them and others.
Barbara Harris, Daughter
“All her life, always says what she wants to say and mean what she wants to say too.”
Douglas Fairweather, Son
“She gives away all the time. She gives so much that we had more than twelve people who grew up with us as brothers and sisters up to today and they are still very, very close to her.”
Barbara Harris
“I think what has helped her, being here, the grandchildren in and out. I have two grandchildren here and whenever she misses the baby, where’s that boy? And people are always coming in and out, and that keeps her alert.”
Douglas Fairweather
“She loves children and she always has something to give to a child. If you go into that room right now and a little child would come in she will find something, a balloon, candy or something, she’s always, always giving.”
The family will be holding a three-day activity to commemorate their mother’s birthday. On that day, Saturday, the Belize Red Cross will honour Fairweather for her outstanding contribution to the association.
MaryLee Ellis, Acting Director, Belize Red Cross
“A lot of the work she did was community work, assisting with teaching in schools, assisting with delivering supplies to victims of fires and floods and so forth, so she was very active.”
“I know she was around from the 50’s and I know she received a Award of Merit in 1968. And I believe she went on for many years until really physically she was unable to carry on with the work. But I know from an interest point of view that carries on even to this day.”
…And what does Miss Ethel think of all the attention and family visits?
Ethel Fairweather
“Well it feels good. I always feel good anyhow.”
Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
