LLANDEWEY'ELDEST RESIDENT

THE LLANDEWEY community in western St Thomas is getting ready to honour its eldest resident, Philicita Mignott-Gornett.

Known throughout the community as Aunt Cita, Mignott-Gornett, who celebrates her 103rd birthday on Sunday, April 18, will not only enjoy the pleasures of a birthday cake but her house, which is in a state of disrepair, is set to benefit from a facelift.  Constable Howard Vassell of the Llandewey Police Station, who is a member of the organising committee, told The Gleaner the community has taken on the effort as a mark of respect for the centenarian.

"We intend to honour her for her presence among us. We are very grateful to have had her among us and we intend to celebrate with her the milestone that she has achieved," Vassell said.Aunt Cita was born at Farmer's Gap, St Thomas, in 1907. She left school at age 14 and went to the fields to work as a farmer. She also practised dressmaking.

Still strong and active

Years after giving up hard work, Aunt Cita still remains a strong and active person."She reads without glasses and she travels to Kingston on her own. She is remarkably strong and healthy for her age," Vassell told The Gleaner. Beginning Monday, the community, led by members of the Llandewey Police Youth Club and other skilled citizens, will begin work on the two-bedroom dwelling which Aunt Cita calls home. "There are some cracks in the walls, the floor needs to be strengthened, there is a window that needs to be replaced and the house is in need of painting," Vassell said. He told The Gleaner that a couch has already been purchased for the elderly woman.

The police say they hope that the celebration of Aunt Cita's milestone will rekindle community spirit and volunteerism in Llandewey.