MRS LILIAN ELLIOTT of the Region 2 Amerindian community of Mashabo, on the Essequibo Coast, was born in the Upper Pomeroon River community on July 31, 1908, and is still a very active farmer at 103 years old. Considered to be the oldest woman in Region 2, and probably in Guyana, Lilian is the loving mother of eight children, and is a grandmother and great grandmother of many.
Mashabo residents say Lilian weeds and cleans her farm, plants her own cassavas, reaps her crops, and fetches it out to her home.
The centurion also reputedly grates her cassavas, squeezes it, does her own sifting, and bakes cassava bread on a fireside.
Lilian’s relatives have tried many times to get her to retire, but she insists on working, because she feels fit and strong.
The centurion is reportedly possessed of all her faculties, and credits God as the giver of her longevity.
Her encouragement to young Mashabo residents is to always work hard and be honest. She also calls for them to always remember God in everything they do.
Lilian is considered a jewel in the Mashabo community.