Newest Centenarian, Collie Lovell

One of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Collie Lovell, affectionately known as “Ma” or “Aunt Sis”, celebrated her milestone with friends and family at the Church Hall of Holy Innocents on Monday, October 30, 2023.

President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, visited with the centenarian at the Church Hall.

Mrs. Lovell, when asked by Her Excellency what contributed to her longevity and youthfulness, said: “I trust in God with all my heart and I lean on His own understanding.”

Tributes were paid by three of the centenarian’s children, Samuel, Margaret and John Lovell.

Samuel said his mum, though “humble, poor, and uneducated, became feisty, rich and scholarly in her twilight years; [and] what she missed out on academically, she made up with her thriftiness”. 

He shared that his mother was “fitting out brides” at age 15; was an agriculturalist (growing crops and rearing animals) “providing food for her family and friends from her small plot of land at the back [of the house].  The centenarian was also a meat supplier to a number of clients, including the Abattoir and Julie ‘N Supermarket.

Mr. Lovell further noted that at age 96, his mother was the oldest athlete to participate in the National Senior Games, and had earned an array of medals and awards, but retired from the competition due to COVID-19.

The centenarian, who attends church whenever she could, was active in the Mothers’ Union, serving as a deputy in the Mothers’ Union, and sang in a number of choirs across the island.  She also performed on stage, with persons such as Winston Farrell.

Mrs. Lovell worked at Bar Pac, as a production worker, joining in 1976, until her retirement at age 60.  Throughout all of this, she continued with her farming and marketing and the pursuit of various interests.

Born in Sturges, St. Thomas, Mrs. Lovell attended what is now called Holy Innocents Primary School but left school early to look after her siblings, giving up her dream to be a teacher.

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Centenarian Mrs. Collie Lovell (seated) surrounded by her children (left to right) Samuel Lovell, Joseph Lovell, Margaret Lovell, Phillip Lovell, and Oscar Lovell (seated)

Her daughter, Margaret, noted that even though her mother missed out on an education, the centenarian took that spirit of learning with her through the years and acquired many skills through application and experience.

After hearing about the work and contribution of Mrs. Lovell throughout the years, Her Excellency shared that she hoped the centenarian would be nominated for the upcoming “Builders of Barbados” National Award.  Dame Sandra also noted that Barbadians “owe a great debt” to nation builders, such as Mrs. Lovell.

Her Excellency presented the centenarian with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, and a personalised card. Mrs. Lovell moved to My Lord’s Hill in 1955 and then to Arthur Seat, St. Thomas, in 1960, where she currently resides. 

She was married to Joseph Lovell, who passed away in 1998, at the age of 75. The couple had eight children; six (five boys, one girl) are alive today.  She has 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.   (PR/GIS)