Dominica celebrates another centenarian

Royer celebrated her 100th birthday on May 15. Photo: GIS

Another Dominican woman, Doris St. Jean-Royer has celebrated her 100th birthday making her the newest member of the elite group of Dominican centenarians.

Royer originally from the community of Guillette, Savanne Paille was born on May 15th, 1917.

The centenarian, who made her livelihood as a farmer and huckster, accounts her health and long life to consuming only the local produce she grew.

His Excellency the President of Dominica, Charles Savarin and Mrs. Savarin attended celebrations in her honour.

His Excellency Savarin, said the families of centenarians must be recognised for their contributions to this milestone.

“…When people live to be 100 the family members have to be recognised for the care, the love, the attention that they would have given over many years so that their relative, their parent, grandparent, aunt could reach such a mature age,” he noted.

The Hon. Minister for Social Services, Lady Catherine Daniel also recognised the role of the family in ensuring a good quality of life for the centenarian.

“We have to thank Mrs. Royer’s family for that because often children leave their grandparents, their parents to the state and you can see the result of that but as we look at Mrs. Royer today we can see that she comes from a loving and caring family and I just want to say to the family, thank you so much,” she said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, Helen Royer says the ministry will ensure that Mrs. Royer is well taken care of.

“I really want to say congrats, it’s a long, long life to live and we at the ministry of social services, we are happy to add you on our list …we will continue to commit to making sure that Ma Doi is ok.”

President of the Dominica council on Ageing, Zetma Toussaint also addressed the ceremony. She noted that now more centenarians seem to be in better health and are better able to help themselves.

“Many of the centenarians are getting younger …more and more you can see them being able to continue their lives, they move around, they help themselves and that is what we love to see.”

Dominica currently boasts of 27 centenarians and has the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world

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29 Comments

  1. Ato
    May 20, 2017

    Congratulations Ma Doris…WE GIVE GOD THANKS FOR You! We applaude all who made this day so special for you.

    We wish you continued health and strength…continue to live large and enjoy your long life…

    ..love from…Savanna Paille/Antigua

  2. Jonathan St jean
    May 20, 2017

    This is a great selling point to help boost tourist arrivals in Dominica.The tourist authority and government officials should use this fact to present Dominica as the Singapore of the world.Also it’s sad that because of modernization with processed foods and anxiety,stress and lifestyle changes we have a tusanami of diseases which are rubbing younger people of the quality of life and we think we are doing better than our fore parents

  3. Mags
    May 19, 2017

    It is with great pleasure that I send this note, to celebrate with Ma Doris and her family on the occasion of her 100th birthday (we all went to school together). Congratulations to her children on a fantastic job well done with the grace of God to see her reach tbis milestone.
    Much love to the family and to you Ma Doris.
    May God continue to bless you all.
    Magie from Guillette (Ma Mina’s daughter)

  4. Congratulations to Doris St. Jean – Royer! Dominica must be a great place to live.

    Blessings on Ms. St. Jean – Royer*s family who made life worth living for Doris!

    Why the fuss over addressing her as *Lady* :?: I thought it was an expression of honor. A woman who reaches the age of 100 deserves to be called *Lady*. But then I supposed if the person was a man we would be expected to call him *Sir*. So be it!

    Respect for our seniors is something we should be encouraging. It ought not surprise us.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

    • Polar Eyes
      May 19, 2017

      Her name happens to be Ladye Catherine Daniel. Her parents McFarland and Mina Daniel of Colihaut gave her those names. Is that a problem for you?

  5. star
    May 19, 2017

    happy birthday my lady.. long life.. more strength..

  6. Tj
    May 19, 2017

    Congratulations is in order !rs Royer

  7. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    May 18, 2017

    Congratulations to Mrs. Royer on attaining 100 years. I wish you some more years as the Lord sees fit.
    We could learn a lesson from your lifestyle which could assist us to live that many years and hopefully healthily.

    Dominica currently boasts of 27 centenarians and has the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world.
    This is something for Dominicans to boast of. As the years progress I am certain there will be more centenarians.

  8. May 18, 2017

    Her name is lady GA GA who cares, let us celebrate her hundred year with us, there should be a little bio on her life D.N.O , what she eat , what she drink, what is the secret of her longevity, what was it like growing up in D.A. during her youth, people should not have to focus on whether her name is lady or what ever.

  9. May 18, 2017

    Dominicans are so ignorant. I never knew Lady’s real name was Catherine. To those who are not from Colihaut, from childhood we know her as lady. It’s not a title, but better known as lady. People get a life, my people picks at everything, they do not have work to do, what else is new, if it’s not the Prime minister, it’s someone in cabinet?

  10. Allergic to bullshit
    May 18, 2017

    OMG! this is about one of our centenarian, another person making it to a hundred years. Something that is rare considering our lifestyle these days. Why don’t we embrace this? Why are we making it about “Lady” Catherine Daniel. Does this really matter now? Whether she is Lady, Ms. Mrs, Mr or whatever? Jeez man! :-x

  11. Me
    May 18, 2017

    Zetma says in all seriousness that centenarians are getting younger. One hundred years is always one hundred years Zetma, as the term centenarian implies.

  12. May 18, 2017

    These article always put a smile on my face, love reading them!

  13. May 18, 2017

    Congrats to her, may she live 100 more!

  14. Dominican
    May 18, 2017

    Congratulations. I wonder what is life expectancy at birth these days in Dominica?
    The last figure reported is 76.6 yrs. but that dates from 2002. Everybody authority uses that except the WHO, which bluntly reports that this info is not available while the CIA gives an estimate only of 77 years for 2016. What is the matter, does the government not report any up-to-dat statistics anymore. Just like our unemployment figure, which is still shown as 23% for the year 2000 and the IMF says that unemployment figures for Dominica are not available for 2023-2017. If there has been an improvements in these figures I am sure the government would be the first to boast about them. So I am suspicious and alarmed at the lack of critical data, which are real indicators of our economy.

  15. NKRUMAH KWAME
    May 18, 2017

    Congratulations to you my dear; hope you have the strength to enjoy some more!! Now, what is this about “Lady” Catherine Daniel?
    HOTEP!

    • grips
      May 18, 2017

      This is the woman birth name….duh

      • Polar Eyes
        May 19, 2017

        I thank you!!

    • Me
      May 18, 2017

      Why worry? No big deal. Some people even become Doctors without attainment. Is Nkruma Kwame your name of birth??

    • anonymous
      May 18, 2017

      and what is this about HOTEP? Shed some light nuh.

      • anonymous
        May 18, 2017

        where ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise.

  16. Not a herd follower
    May 18, 2017

    Lady Catherine Daniel? Where and when did Catherine Daniel earn the title ‘Lady’? Was or is she married to someone who carries the title of Sir? GIS must stop that crap of bestowing titles on people when they these are not earned or conferred by a legitimate authority (such as the Queen of England or a Sovereign Government).

    • puss
      May 18, 2017

      This is her first name

  17. Barrack
    May 18, 2017

    Dear DNO

    A curious question: I have seen quite a few references to the Minister Catherine Daniel as “Lady Catherine Daniel”.

    Can you shed some light on how she attained the title of ‘Lady’? Or is ‘Lady’ her first name?

    Please advise.

    • dayandnight vision
      May 18, 2017

      Lady is her first name you all

    • Dominican
      May 18, 2017

      This is the only part of the article some of you find important? Who cares if she is first lady, ladybird or her real name is LAdy? stupes

  18. steve
    May 18, 2017

    It would be a good thing to document their lifestyles so we can learn. we have good writers why not Publish a book. I would buy a copy.

    • Africo
      May 18, 2017

      Congratulations to Ma Doye!
      A short biography of her life was read out at the celebration function, and you are right, such an exercise should be done for each centenarian. The information would be most interesting as it is in the case of Doris St. Jean Royer’s story.

    • Me
      May 18, 2017

      You know what Steve, you write the book and I will buy a copy.

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