Ethlin Blake gets royal treatment on 100th birthday
Centenarian Ethlin Blake was all smiles as she sat like royalty at the head table last Saturday during her 100th birthday celebration.
Blake was the toast of family and friends at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston and described the occasion as simply special.
“I feel good. I thank the Lord for giving me a chance to reach this milestone,” said Blake, who was clad in a stylish light-blue dress, her feet adorned in light gold shoes. The matriarch, affectionately called Mother Blake, Gong Gong or Auntie, was having a blast.
DEVOTED CHRISTIAN
“Not everybody get to see 100 years old, so I have to give all thanks to Almighty God,” she added. Blake is said to be a devoted Christian who did not miss a single church session at Refuge Temple on Maxfield Avenue until COVID-19 prevented her from doing so in 2020.
She is considered to be a very caring, loving and God-fearing woman. She was born to Robert and Icilda Fraser on August 3.
Blake, her grandchildren say, took very good care of her family.
She gave birth to twin boys, but sadly one died at birth. Her other son, Hector Hemmings, lived until he was 34.
For a year she worked with Hark Holding Company in the 1950s before moving on to the Ministry of Health to work in the Child Feeding Programme for another two years. Her final public labour lasted for eight years at Nutrition Package.
“All her co- workers at the three entities loved, respected, and admired her personality,” said Victor Abrahams, her eldest nephew, who is also a former broadcast journalist.
Although up in age, Blake is said to be as agile as ever and regularly proves her might to concerned relatives.
“Mama still washes for herself, she still cook for herself and she does not like to sit around doing nothing,” said Jennifer Hemmings, her eldest grandchild who resides in the UK.
“Dem do not like when mi do things for myself. Dem think say mi old. If God continue to provide me with health and strength, why not use it?” Blake added.
She told THE STAR that her many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, church family, and friends all made her centenarian celebration the most memorable of her birthdays to date.