Cayman Bracker celebrates 100th birthday

| 31/07/2009

(CNS): The only command in Scripture that promises long life as a reward is the Fifth Commandment to “Honour thy father and thy mother”, and Ms Ina Watler, who was born 30 July 1909, believes that because she took care of her parents for a long time that she has been blessed. Her grandson Vanderlinde Dilbert , a paramedic at Faith Hospital, said Ms Ina was in good health, her eyesight and hearing were good and she read the Bible every day. He said one of her favourite sayings is: “Hard work never kill anyone, but laziness kill you quick!” which might also account for her long life.

Ms Ina has lived in the Creek her whole life, raised by her grandfather, Alexander Kirkwood, the first Baptist preacher in the island, in a little house behind where the Creek Post Office now stands. She had five brothers, two of whom drowned at sea during the ’32 Storm, and three sisters. In 1929 she married Solon Watler and they had one child, Sadie (below).

She was all smiles as she celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday surrounded by friends and four generations of family, including a granddaughter Lavonida Edwards and her family, who flew from Jamaica for the event. Also at the party were her daughter, grandson, two granddaughters, one great-grandson, 5 great-granddaughters and one 2-year-old great-great-grandson, in-laws and friends, including her helper, Monica, and Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell.

(Below: Ms Ina with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild. The cake was made by granddaughter Valden Scott)

 

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  1. Quincy Brown says:

    Congratulations to a special centenarian.  Here is a fine example of  Caymanian (Brac) heritage in living human form.  God Bless You Ms. Ina – your stories shared with the Archive and school students will benefit younger and up coming Caymanian children.  I say thank you for your contribution to the Brac community – and for being a fine model of the strong, ambitious Caymanian woman.  

     

    Quincy Brown, Esq.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Ms. Ina is a fine lady, spoken of often by my great grandparents (stories from my grandparents).  I am told she was never one to see hunger and not feed.  My grandparents spoke of old man Alexander Kirkwood, who "hearkened unto Abraham" and moved to Cayman from Jamaica after some travel, a long with my great grand father as friends.  I know he married one from the "clan", where the heritage lives on today.

    May G-D continue to bless you, as you are richly blessed.

    The Rothmans,

    New York

  3. Anonymous says:

    May Gods richest blessings be with you Miss Ina as you persue another 100 years.

    Mr. Solie must be so proud of you.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Congrats to a fine lady and a fine family.