KATHLEEN Headley, the comical centenarian with an impeccable memory from Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, celebrated her 102nd birthday Saturday.
Often called “Nen,” she was born at New Supply, East Bank Demerara, or as she puts it – 28 miles from Georgetown.
She was born the eldest of six children – two brothers and four sisters – with her only surviving sibling being the youngest.
Granny Nen recalled that her sister Lynette is exactly 19 years and 12 days younger than she is, and boasted that she mothered this sister after her mother, Rebecca Elizabeth Arthur-Norton, had passed away.
She also recollected that she attended the Canadian Missionary Primary, but did not attend secondary school and later worked as a nurse at the Demerara Bauxite Company and then later worked elsewhere as a nanny. She was married twice also: first to James Forde and then to Albon Headley.
Granny Nen noted that since she was younger, she always knew that she had an affinity for children and taking care of children. While she never had any children of her own, she cared for numerous children of her family and close friends.
“Any child could’ve come here and stayed with me,” she said.
At school, she recalled also that she loved making cakes, watching cricket, and reading, something which she still does daily. She also loved geography, because she always wanted to know where every place was found.
This love for geography later translated into her love for travelling.
“I can’t stay in one place,” she declared. She has travelled to the United States of America, Canada, Barbados and even spent her 80th Birthday in Lethem. She and her family members recounted too that she used to walk from her home to go to Stabroek Market and walk to her church, Smith’s Congregational Church.
Now, however, Granny Nen has trouble with her “balance” and is unable to move around as she used to, but remains cheery and well-abled to make breakfast and do her own laundry.
Kathleen said her life was great, but her only regret was not having at least three children of her own.
She encourages all young folk to “eat properly” and “love one another.”
She shared this message: “If you pray and ask God, and you’re honest, he will help you.” (Vishani Ragobeer)