Centenarian Beldrina Anatasie Eusebe, affectionately known as ‘Ma Topie’ of La Plaine is celebrating 104 years today Wednesday, (June 15).
A devout Catholic, she attributed her long life to eating right and her faith in God.
“I am not too bad, I am happy today,” Eusebe, sounding elated, told Dominica News Online (DNO) on Wednesday morning.
She said some of her favourite foods are dasheen, plantain, bananas, tania and breadfruit.
She relishes breadfruit “ton ton” and quickly stated that rice, macaroni or ‘ramen’ will not pass her lips.
Her daughter and caretaker, Cecilia Esprit told DNO that her mom was born on June 15th 1912 and received her primary school education in the then Carib Reserve (now Kalinago Territory).
She was married and gave birth to 10 children but her husband passed away in 1966.
“She worked at the agriculture center in La Plaine for over 10 years and retired at the age of 60,” Esprit stated.
Esprit said after her mom’s retirement, she was self-employed as a farmer.
She noted that her mother is “bright, vibrant and has all her senses.”
“She responds very well for her age,” Esprit explained.
However, she said her mother’s eyesight is “fading”.
“She is not seeing as bright as before,” she stated.
A special service was held for Eusebe in La Plaine on Wednesday afternoon.
Happy, happy birthday. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you with perfect vision. Moses was 120 years old and his eyes was not dim. Father God can do the same for you now.
Amen
Ma Topie worked hard in her lifetime. She was very active. Married with 10 children and then working and farming. She is an exemplary person.
She looks like a lady who was happy, friendly and jovial. This helps.
Amazingly she is still alert and can still somewhat see.
She looks serene. It looks like she could live some more years. Her nutritious meals also contributed to her good health and longevity.
It also helps to receive good home care. Her daughters are doing an excellent job of taking care of her. God bless you!
God blest this dear lady for all she has done and with longevity.
Ma Topie, once again, may God bless you with many more years to come.
Trust that many will take a page from the way she ate and does eat. The produce of the earth is necessary for good health. Anything contrary will lead to obesity and disease. We are of the earth and need the things that grow in the earth to sustain us. We need to stop all the junk foods that we have adopted and strive to eat to live long lives. We also need to exercise and drink water instead of all these sweet drinks. Our minds really need to be liberated from everything that change them for the worse. We need to have control over the things that are detrimental to our bodies.
UNAPOLOGETIC
Happy birthday Ma Tope.God bless you.God is love.So happy to see you from a distance.My brother Mas Lewe would have been happy to see you now.I am saying.Happy birthday to you for him.Love
Happy Birthday Ma. Topie and I wish you at least 16 more years of stress free, healthy living.
May the Good Lord pour a “Blessing Attack” upon you and your two daughters Cecelia and Hilda for being the great caretakers that they are to you, and also bless them with Long Life. The two of them also look absolutely divine for their ages.
Happy b-day….
Happy Birthday to Ma.Topie wishing you health and strenght may God continue to bless your soul oh how i wish i could live that long i too celebrated my birthday yesterday…Happy Birthday to us
What is wrong with rice, macaroni and Ramen?
Shut up ……. Just wish her happy birthday…
Nah, I rather know what’s wrong with Rice and Macoroni.
Processed food not good for you
That has not been scientifically proven, they have less nutritional value but nothing says they aren’t good for you. You need to moderate everything you eat
Obviously they are a staple in your diet which explains your dumb question. Now go out there and get some real food like ton-ton to de-fog your brain.
I like rice which can be prepared in different ways (there are different types of rice); it could also be baked with your favorite vegetables. It could be tasty but it has no substance. Our D/can food/vegetables are healthier. They keep you strong.
Macaroni and too much of it could be fattening. I love a tasty macaroni and cheese. Ma Topie is from the old school, as the saying and prefers her healthy food. I do not blame her. Her feature looks healthy. This tells a lot about her excellent health at 104 years..
I have relatives who lived to be as old as 103 years and close to that. I certainly wished I could live to be Ma Topie’s age and more and still be alert as her; a blessing for her. I am far from that age.
Can remember her quite well growing up she and my mum worked together at ththe.agriculture station .My mum from more jaune they worked real hard.but it paid off.the ton ton yampei and the sauce pawson go down good.long live ma tope.Tell tis generation wat to eat.God mercy and favour b with u
Thank God you live 4score and more all God’s Blessings. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Well done MAA TOPIE – God Blessings to you always. God hath blessed Dominicans and Dominica in so many ways. Eat what we growing and growing what we eat. Stop importing those cancer causing foods and fertilizes. This lady is a gem and a gift to us all, What was Topie’s maiden surname ? I know she was married. to a Eusebe. What is the diet she now uses? Love ma topie.
WOW!! Congratulations to You Ma Topie. What long life! I remember her name when I was growing up in Laplaine in the early 70’s. Such Elders had a healthy recipe for living that was all-encompassing: it can be found in Proverbs 3:
Chapter 3
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be…
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE CHAPTER. This would be a fine way of Celebrating with…
This would be a fine way of Celebrating with Ma Topie.
Love & Live.
Sylvester Cadette;
I visit large book stores here in Canada and see shelves of the latest HOW TO books written by psychologists and other behavioral experts telling us how to live long and be happy, and how to succeed at many things in life.
But this is a beautiful and powerful chapter, along with Proverbs 31 written by King Solomon of ancient Israel approximately 1,000 B.C. It reminds me that all we need is in the Bible. Thank you for bringing these inspired instructions to DNO. I hope many people will read and reflect upon Proverbs 3.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You are absolutely correct Sylvester for in old age she should flourish like the palm tree according to the Bible. I also remember you guys in La Plaine when your dad was the Pastor at the Christian Union Church. Be blessed my brother and stay strong in the Lord.
Happy birthday Ma Topie, may God bless you and your family. This is another reason we should stay away from processed foods. Laziness kills, people
Happy birthday Mama! I am honored to be part of you family and our kids are even more thrilled to know you. Thank you for all the memories, teachings and folk stories we will forever treasure those. We could not be there with you to celebrate this joyous occasion but you were in our hearts and minds and you will forever remain there. you are a queen, and you shall forever reign.
We love you Mama & thank you for the many blessings and teachings!
Liz, Wendy, Dave, Geanette, Daily, Carmika, Kyle, Britney, Tate, Tiffany, D’Andre, Larry, Fancy, Tracy.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday. may God continue to bless you.
I have been saying this for year. Our people live long in comparison to other islands and countries because of what they eat and drink. No process foods.
On this island we import too many process foods and carbonize drinks. Look at the amount of mangoes along the roadside, practically everyone has a tree in their yard yet they go for imported drinks.
I want to be like Ma Topie when I grow up so no process foods. I grow what I eat and I eat what I grow
Where is Hilda prosper name ? She takes care of her as well and is also her daughter and care taker
Nevertheless happy birthday
Thank you “Mama” for the lessons see that: She relishes breadfruit “ton ton” and quickly stated that rice, macaroni or ‘ramen’ will not pass her lips. We need to know these things and stop eating all these processed foods
Long may she reign. Her dress is beautiful and she has some lovely grand children and she could live for another 10 years. Hard work never kill’s anyone, ask Tolay,bamm,charlie,clitter,gal and johnnie. she looks as beautiful as when she was 22.Blessings. GOOD people like yourself never leave this world you just vanish for a while. There is a lot you could familiar the young generation with only, if they would learn to listen. LOTS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS TOO. “ENJOY”
Congratulation Ma Topie and happy B-Day.
I wish to send my congratulations to Beldrina Anatasie Usebe on her 104th Birthday, today, June 15, 2016.
104 years, and 10 children! She is loved by her family.
Medical scientists tell us that faith in God and participation in worship contributes to one’s health and length of life. Ma Topie is an awesome example of this.
Those who believe in our Lord Jesus and His death on the cross to put their sins away can be sure of spending eternity with Him. I pray Ma Topie will have this certainty.
God bless her and the family.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
“Medical scientists tell us that faith in God and participation in worship contributes to one’s health and length of life.” REALLY? WHEN AND WHERE? Please go away.
Doctors have reported that patients with faith heal faster. It surprises them.
Faith is a healer.
Some years ago I observed a small pocket book at a store near the cashier. I took it, flipped through it and purchased it. It is entitled “Faith”. It states how some people were healed and by the power of prayer which surprised doctors. I recently heard something to that effect on the News.
It appears you have not yet heard that.
It is also stated that most religious folks are happier and they live longer.
Well it is actually true so don’t be too hard on the rev. But is not because “Gods’ power” is at work. It is a placebo effect. If you believe someone loves you and is protecting you – your immune system is actually strengthened – go figure. It is the same thing with patients getting well with sugar pills because they believe they are being helped. But since there is actually no little god up there pulling the strings it is all an illusion. But sometimes illusions keep a lot of people feeling good, so I have become less dogmatic about pointing out the illusion nature of it all.
Faith, Hope and Trust in God. You are putting God last on the list. Why? I do think He is displeased about that. He is above everyone and everything. He is God and He can perform miracles which the eyes cannot see. Believers simply know they are healed. There are many documented cases. Let us give God his dues. Much more could be stated about that.
Actually it is NOT the ”placebo effect”.
Did you know that scientific studies have been done in University affiliated medical schools
where a group of patients were prayed for by a selected group of born again Christians and a similar group of patients were not prayed for
None of the patients (same ages, same diseases, same chances, etc.) knew they were being prayed for. None even knew of the studies. Not even the medical team knew which group was being prayed for.
Those in the prayed for group (1) recovered quicker, (2) Required less medication, and (3) had less complications. One scientific test is if the results can be repeated or nor not. The answer is YES
This test was done again and again at hospitals across America by university affiliated workers and again and again the results have been positive proving the power of prayer to heal.
wow Congratulations on your 104 birthday. It is indeed a blessing from God knowing that you don’t have dementia and you are not sick. Failing eyesight goes with getting old. From 40-45 years on some people start to notice that their eyesight is not as good as when they were young. To God be the Glory!
Happy birthday MA topie
Happy Birthday, god blessings and many more to come you Miss Eusebe
A Happy Centenarian, 104th Birthday to you.
May God continue to shine his light on you and grant you some more years as He sees fit.
God Bless you, Happy Birthday. Historian
Was the special service held last Friday or will one be held this Friday, June 17? DNO please clarify.
Happy Birthday Ma Topie! You are an inspiration to us all. 104 years young. Raising your 10 Children, working in Agriculture, and as a Farmer, and your strong belief in God….To me you are a Rock Star! Wishing you many more Birthdays.
Long LIVE Ma Topie!…..104 and still going strong.
God Bless Her. Made in Dominica, and ate the best stuff on earth, now we can hardly find the foods she so proudly indulged in Eating. No wonder they do not come like her again. We all have to look in the mirror.
God bless u