Guyana’s oldest centenarian…
By Shirley Thomas
Guyana’s oldest centenarian – Mathilda Lewis who, just over a month ago turned 113, died yesterday morning at the Salvation Army Women’s Home, Bent and Haley Streets in the city, where she resided for the last several decades.

Matron of the Institution, Captain Germanie Gachenin, yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that ‘Grannie Mathilda’s’ death came as a shock to the Women’s Home, and indeed the entire Guyana Division of the Salvation Army, and was greeted with deep sadness.

“We, the family here at the Salvation Army, are all grieved and deeply saddened at her loss. She was held dear, and had come to be very special to us,” said the matron. It was evident that she was the pride and joy of the Women’s Home, where peace and love abound.

Captain Gachenin said that the centenarian died peacefully in her sleep – probably sometime during the night. However, they had, earlier in the night, tucked her into bed but on checking her room yesterday morning around 6:30 hrs to tidy her up as usual, found that she was not responding to calls, and appeared not to be breathing.

Concerned, the management of the home immediately contacted other officers of the Division and summoned a medical practitioner, who pronounced Ms. Lewis dead. The police, members of her Church – the St. Andrew’s Kirk and other members of the fraternity were also called in.

Captain Gachenin recalled that Ms. Lewis, at 113, had not been doing too well, and seemed to be ‘getting down’ gradually. Her vision had been very limited and she was complaining of pains in various parts of her body. A doctor, who was called in a few weeks ago, said that it was all part of the ageing process, noting that there did not appear to be much time left for her.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commander, Major Sinous Theodore, and his wife – Major Marie Theodore – Divisional Head of Women’s Ministries, who were abroad, were expected to fly into the country last night for her funeral service, which is to be held at the St. Andrew’s Kirk at 15:00 hrs today.

Born at Charlestown, Georgetown, on May 16, 1896, during the reign of Queen Victoria (as she proudly boasted), Grannie Mathilda, at the time of her death, held the distinction of being the oldest person recorded alive in South America.

The family at the home, as well as her church members, have been doing an incredible job at caring for her through the years – keeping her well-groomed, adequately-fed, and generally happy.

Her birthdays were always occasions for great celebration, and a Thanksgiving service around noon, complete with cake sticking, ribbons, balloons and the works, would always be followed by a Communion Service in the evening.

She loved singing and always elected to sing a song or hymn for those joining her in celebration.

About her thoughts on attaining the ripe old age of 112, in 2008, she modestly replied that she never thought she’d live to see that age, and thanked God for His grace and mercy for keeping and protecting her.

Not being too optimistic about seeing another birthday, she said she thought she had lived out her time, but jokingly quipped: “But I must thank God I am in the land of the living, and mingled with the dead.” She was equally elated on attaining the ripe old age of 113 six weeks ago.