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Bertina Barrow, a beloved matriarch from Station Hill, St Michael, has become Barbados’ second centenarian of 2025, celebrating her 100th birthday with a legacy of love, discipline, and community service that spans generations.
A small family celebration was held in her honour on Friday at her home in St Philip, where she now lives. The event was attended by the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey Gibson, who represented the President of the Republic, Dame Sandra Mason.
The petite mother of seven, dressed in a coral chiffon dress, a long string of pearls, a white fascinator, and white sandals, was as alert as ever, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Eldest son Richard T. Barrow, fondly recalled how his mother instilled discipline and structure in their lives from a young age, something he is thankful for today.
“She taught me discipline,” Barrow reminisced, recalling a time in his youth when he skipped school to hang out with his friends. His mother punished him, alongside his teacher and the headmaster, which he admits was a lesson learned. “From that day I never ever missed a school day. My head was hard, I had a hard head, I didn’t want to learn nothing, after I left there I went to Richmond School, they put me in the lowest class but when I left Richmond School I was a prefect.”
He expressed his gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices, especially for giving back to the community despite earning a meagre 17 cents a week.
“I thank her for her care, her love, her encouragement. I watched my mother feed a community and you know in them days my mother worked for 17 cents. I don’t know how she raised all of us on 17 cents a week. I don’t know how she did it, but she did.”
He shared another story about his mother’s generosity: “Every day at one o’clock head to Queen’s Park with a big skillet in my hand. Most of you all don’t remember them days. Big old skillet and people used to make fun of us and the same people used to talk about the food we get from the park. My mother used to take it and feed the whole community.”
Barrow credited his mother for his education, saying that thanks to her, he earned a doctorate and an education in religious studies.
His youngest sister, Patricia Barrow-Williams, also remembers how their mother ensured they had everything they needed.
“She worked in that field, she carried us to the cane ground, every Saturday she carried us to the supermarket, I always have to carry the groceries home but she always used to provide for us and make sure we had discipline, make sure we had respect.”
Patricia added that their mother was loved by everyone in the neighbourhood: “Everyone in the neighborhood loved my mum because anything she have, everyone could share. No matter who it is, doesn’t matter where it come from come, come, everybody come eat, everybody come.”
The family also regretted not learning more about the herbal teas their mother used to make, as she always had a remedy for any illness: “Anybody sick, we getting our bush tea. You sick today, you drink your bush tea tonight and you well tomorrow.”
Her youngest daughter also recalled how resourceful her mother was, even during difficult times.
“Even when we didn’t have a stove, she’ll make a wood fire in the yard, it never burned. I don’t know how she used to get that wood fire done and tasty, everyone coming. Everyone coming when they smell the food.”
Her son-in-law, Edward Williams, recalled his time with his mother-in-law in New York. He fondly remembered how she always cooked fresh meals every day, never touching processed foods: “She wouldn’t eat anything from a microwave. She wouldn’t eat anything from a can. It had to be freshly cooked daily, so I know why she lived to be 100.”
Edward also enjoyed watching her react enthusiastically to action movies and shows, which were her favourites.
Reverend Gibson presented Barrow with a gift and a card from the president.
He encouraged the family to cherish every moment with her. (LG)
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