Mary Agnes Smith (Aunt M) at her home at Chisholm Avenue, St Andrew, on Wednesday, September 2.

This week is being celebrated as Senior Citizens' Week and The Grand Old Lady of North Street would like to celebrate with those who are the most senior of them all. There are just over 400 recorded centenarians in Jamaica but their contributions to life here far outweigh their number.

Mary Agnes Smith, who at 100 still manages to move around her house and helps with housework and chores, is an example to everyone who knows her.

"I make my bed every morning, and I like to see the house in order," said Smith.

Aunt M, as she is affectionately called, was born in Westmoreland in 1909. She has one son, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren who are very passionate about her.

Aunt M said her most memorable moment while growing up was the hardship Jamaicans faced while going to school.

"I spent three years in sixth form because my parents did not have money to send me to college. Back then in Jamaica, the standards at school were not as high," Aunt M explained.

Disagreement

She wanted to become a nurse but her father was not in agreement with that. Despite the disagreement, Aunt M has high praises for her parents, who encouraged her to treat people well, something she has taken with her for nearly 100 years.

"They brought me up good," she said.

" Even now, I am always at peace with everyone, I don't let myself get in anyone's way.

Tameka Buchanan, one of Aunt M's tenants, recounted the many times she was advised and reassured by the wise head, who she describes as "just wonderful".

Aunt M remembers working at the underground train station in London as a porter and a conductor, where she gave direction to the commuters. Here in Jamaica she worked at a garment factory.

The gentle and soft-spoken lady was highly praised by her niece, Phylis Grooves, who says that her aunt is respected by everyone.

"She is very kind and loves to give," said Grooves.

Aunt M also has advice for young people. She implores them to keep out of trouble if they can and not allow themselves to get depressed too often. "It will mek yuh look ugly," she said.

The Gleaner also met Minna Greenland, born in St Mary in 1905.

This marvellous lady of 103 years is adored by everyone. She still recites a biblical gem which she learnt in school to her grandchildren.

Aunt Minn, as she is fondly called, did dressmaking, baking, designed and made hats. Some of these jobs she continued until she was 98.

She was also the mother of her community. She took in boarders and raised children who were not here own.

She was both a father and mother to her now 51-year-old grandson, Dennis Beckford.

Life lessons

Minna Greenland is surrounded by family at her home in Kingston recently. From left are Carmen Hemmings, daughter, Thalia Ormspy and Martin Hemmings, son-in-law. - photos by Sophia Hanniford-Bartley/Intern

She taught him at an early age to believe in himself.

When Dennis was 15 years old, Aunt Minn was baking nine cakes for a wedding and felt ill after completing two. He was left with the sole responsibility of finishing the rest of them, a memory he has to this day.

"My grandmother taught me everything she knew, so I managed to finish the cakes for the wedding," he said.

Dennis said today he passes on all he has learnt to his children.

But Aunt Minn won't be left out and has continued to encourage the younger members of the family.

Moesha Hemmings, Aunt Minn's great grandniece, maintains that her grandmother is nice to talk to.

"She tells us to do well in school and that we must practise saving," said Moesha with a smile.