… While Ann Terry turns 101

Sadie Vernon has seen her last days on earth, but meet Ann Terry, who has outlived her by more than a decade. The average lifespan of a human being is generally said to be seventy years and when you find someone turning a hundred years old, it asks for a celebration. Today, Helpage Belize had a birthday party to celebrate the one hundred and first birthday of Ann Terry. The celebration was held at Terry’s residence at Berkeley Street and despite health impediments of aging, she was more than happy to turn a hundred and one. Terry is a mother of three, matriarch to four generations, and still fends for herself. Executive Director of Helpage, Sharon Polack, says Terry has been with Helpage for over twenty years.

Sharon Polack, Executive Director, Helpage Belize
“She thought she was ninety-nine last year, but she was really a hundred. Her daughter had researched it and we are definitely sure this year, she is a hundred and one.”

Ann Terry, 101 Years Old
“I no feel too bad but I cold. Mi son had to bring this big jacket. Aha, more than half blind, this eye gone you know. You see when I fall down ih cut me and then I can’t walk good. So all my days I deh right eena that window di sit down eena that chair, can’t see. I have wah very good son; he do everything fi mi although ih no live here, you know. He si dat ih come down every morning four o’clock and he half cook mi dinner and ih give me mi tea and if ih have to go work and ih work with dehn sister een yah someday. So ih keep and go. Ih woulda seh mami, yoh no have to worry, tek yuh time, tek yuh time I wahn bring it right yah. A seh no you, lef it pan the table and I wahn try dreg mi foot and hold on. You see weh in deh fi mi so small a hold on here, a hold on there and a walk. When he deh yah, he rail up with me, mami I tell you, you can’t sit down, stay. But I must have to walk round or else not if I noh walk round at least I wah get corrode.”

Duane Moody
“But you seem like wah strong person man, you seem like you have a lot of life eena yo.”

Ann Terry
“Everybody seh dat I talk strong and I talk like somebody. I seh hmm…go ahead.”

Sharon Polack
“Family is so important to them and those who don’t have family, its friends and community and her religious faith and Miss Ann Terry has all. So she’s blessed.”