On two occasions in the 1970’s, it was said she would not have survived serious illnesses but Irma Andrew of Soufriere has defied all odds and today (Friday) she is celebrating 101 years.
Andrew is not your typical centenarian. She drinks one Heineken every day, she sits by the roadside to chat with passers by, she takes a cold bath every day. “No hot water, never in my entire life,” she said.
But most importantly, she walks around without the assistance of anyone and is pretty much independent. “I go to the bathroom by myself, nobody have to feed me, I can do a lot of things on my own,” she boasts to Dominica News Online.
So what is the secret to her longevity? “Ask God, don’t ask me,” she told DNO with a burst of hearty laughter.
A staunch Catholic, she says her faith and her family have been instrumental throughout her long life. “My children have always been with me and this makes me happy,” she said.
Her faith, Andrew says, has always been the center of her life. “I grew up in church because my mother was always in church. I am a person of faith and if you want to live a long happy life, you too must have faith,” she pointed out.
Mondarie Lewis described her mother as a “bold person” who has not done anything special to live so long. “She is a really bold person, you know,” Lewis said. “If something is not right, she tells you as it is. But she is a loving, kind person who holds nobody on her heart. She is very forgiving.”
Lewis remembered twice in the 1970’s when serious illness overtook her mother and people then predicted that she would have died. “All the people who predicted she was going to die have all died and she is still alive,” she said.
The centenarian has four children, 16 grandchildren, 22 great grand children and nine great, great grand children.
“It’s a big family and it’s all thanks to her,” Lewis said.
God bless you my love.
Don’t know her but she looks and sounds lovely. God’s blessings dear lady.
I love to see my people speaking about something so good, happy belated birthday ma-am! I am so happy to hear your story and if I was in Da I would surely sit and listen to you talk for as long as I could because I am sure you could teach us a lot about what you have learned in you 101years on our beautiful island.
Happy Birthday Irma gods richest blessing to you
I WISH YOU MANY MORE YEARS, TO COME. AND MAY GOD KEEP ON BLESSING YOU ALWAYS.
Congrats Mam!!!!May God continue to bless you.
More blessings mam, heiniken check d lady eh, give her her drink for free, see her age and she drinking one a day, if she started drinking at 18, u know how many she drank in her life already, come on josephine gabrielle”
Happy Birthday lovely lady.
Congrats Mom your face says it all,continue your Heineken it works.
It’s so amazing to live such a grand old age. I know Ma Irma very well because as a boy this dear old lady always used to send me on errands for her. Her rewards to me was always prayers: I’ll pray for you for God to give you strength to grow upto be a man and live your life to have plenty children – stroking my head always.
Today I’ve got 12 kids and another one is on the way – Ma Ilma certainly knew something that I didn’t know, her blessings.
She looks well for 101 years. She is fortunate to be able to walk around and do everything for herself. Her strong faith and love of family keep her going.
Cold water is good for us. Recall those days when we bathed in cold water and the river. At first the water feels cold but once we get under the shower and the water flows on us and as we swim in the river or just plunge in it, it feels good and refreshing. These days in the tropics, no one wants to bathe in cold water.
It is healthy, better than warm/hot water.
Happy Birthday to Mrs. Irma Andrew. You have overcome illness. I expect that God will keep you here for sometime yet. God bless you with many more years and health and strength.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAME IMA ANDREW , YOU LOOK RELAX S AND I CAN SEE YOU WILL LIVE NANNY MANY MANY MORE YEARS WITH THE FAITH YOU HAVE IN YOUR GOD . I WILL DO THE SAME .
happy b/day to the best granny in the world love u too d maxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx may the good lord bless u always
Hers is the last generation that will achieve 100 or over.
Heineken should be sending her a case or two once a month cause that’s a serious ad she just made for Heineken
Happy Birthday, May you and your family be blessed
That’s our grandma. As she truely says God is the reason that she is here today. We love her and we will continue to take good care of her. We wish her many more years, but as you all know it is all God’s doing. She is the phenomenal HEINEKEN lady. HEINEKEN PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
happy anniversary lovexxxxxxx from your grandsons yann aka. demuchie…dyann and earl best wishes coming from the malakasay crew round the world…..tito,doggy,teddy,pashie,cocoa,shattt andy etc.,.. and not forgetting the special one AC earl… love you granny we’re having one too many……
wishing you a golden one with a platinum ahead with god blessings!!1……. .. kisssssseeeees!!!:
Happy Birthday Grandma. From one of your grandson forever Doggy. You will always be a grandma to me cuz you are the best. Good bless and we want u to have another bless year in good health and keep on smiling. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA Andrew.
De Dan Dada Original Malkassay Doggy showing much love to Irma Mama Andrew.
wow
SHE LOOKS SO HAPPY AND CONTENT!!! SHE DOESN’T LOOK HER AGE ONE BIT!! MAY GOD BLESS U LADY AND HOPE U LIVE TO SEE MANY MORE BIRTHDAYS!
Love your smile, Have a happy Birthday keep smiling,God Bless
Ah God Bless her soul
SHE IS TRULY A QUEEN…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Ma Andrew may God continue to keep you in his hands. Trust God and pray always you will live to see many more birthdays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE YOU*********
very happy blessed lady keep well mama.
Happy birthday madame enjoy yr day.
I love her answer “ask God”. Too many times we act as if our days on earth are our own doing.
Amen!
When I read it I also laughed. Yes! God is in control. She is indeed a lady of strong faith. As contained in the New Testament: All things work for good to those who love God. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of Light.” Faith, hope and trust.
On her face one can see love shining.Happy birthday to Dame,Andrew
What devine favour
Happy Birthday!!! Long life and good health to you Ma Irma!
lol. This is some serious ad for Heineken company
I am certain one drink a day will not kill a person. It is said that if people drink, be it wine, they should drink no more than one per day for health reasons. It is excellent advertising for Heineken. The management would be happy to hear that.
Just remembered, Heineken could use her in their advertisement/commercial. She will make a good advertiser. Where is Heineken? Have they not yet heard?
I think I will try a Heineken sometime. Will also pass the information on. Some people would like to hear that. We live and we learn.
When I go to the beer store I will inform the customer service people about it. I bet they will have a good laugh over it and of course pleased to hear that. Good advertisement for them as well.
Congratulation to Dame Irma Andrew for sharing your birthday with the world we just continue to paray the good Lord will keep on shining on you must respect to you. I hope that the agency on Dominica that is dristrubing ” HEINEKEN ” will find it in their hearts to drop of a case as a bithday gift to her please, and I agree that is good ad for the product.
Again may God bless you always.
Happy birthday to u on your big special day n let the almighty keeping sending showers of blessings up on u…!
with God grace and mercy you have made it to that age. May God continue to bless you as long as you live congratulation on your birthday.Keep having faith in the almighty.GOD BLESS YOU
HAPPY BDAY Irma,dno very disappointed could have gotten a picture of her today.
happy birthday and i will make my faith stronger so i can live long life
Congrats Ms. Irma, Such a nice lady. hope u live to see many more years. All the best. Enjoy ur day and Gods blessing upon u
CONGRATULATIONS, may you live to be another 100 minus a day so we Never know that a humble lady of such great Faith has moved on.Keep the Faith.
@k.Anselm
Why the ‘minus a day’? Such a nice post except for the negative.
Phenomenal. What a milestone.
happy birthday If faith in God is what keeps you alive I will do the same
CONGRATS MA’AM I WISH TO LIVE LONGER THAN YOU……