HELENA Maude McAllister, a household name for those who attended Mac Secretarial School, has celebrated her 102nd birthday with the launch recently of a personal biography entitled, “A Century with Jesus”.

McAllister, a businesswoman, former Sunday-School teacher and a devoted Christian, presented a copy of her biography to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, one of her past students.

At the birthday and book launch ceremony, Minister Lawrence said, “I am overcome with emotion as I stand here tonight to salute this centenarian and stalwart, this woman of God who touched my life some 35 years ago when I was yet of tender age.

“As I reminisce, I am humbled and privileged to have been one of Mackee’s, for the love and warmth that she exuded then still enwraps me… As I interacted with her, she communicated her unshakable faith in God to me, and so from my early days, I was nurtured.”

Mrs. McAllister, along with her husband, Mr. Hilton McAllister, managed the Mac’s Secretarial School, where Minister Lawrence began her accounting career, the Minister of Social Protection said.

“What a thrill to witness an energetic entrepreneur at the formidable age of 102! For as long as I remember, Mackee was always busy and proactive… Her husband back then, spotted the potential in me and my love for numbers, and at each opportunity he literally drummed the word ‘Accounting’ in my head,” Lawrence said.

“How great is God’s work that tonight, the product and the producer can rub shoulders together! What connectivity and motivation for which I will be eternally thankful!” the minister boasted.

In wishing Mrs. McAllister a happy birthday, Minister Lawrence commended the woman’s family for taking great care of her, something which many seniors lack as they age, she said.

“As we age, our caregivers become impatient and oft-times our elderly are victims of neglect and in some cases abandoned. But thank God, you are blessed and have been loved and comforted as all persons of your age should,” she said, while referring to the woman as the oldest Managing Director of Mac’s Housing & Facilities.