Paix-Bouche celebrates its first centenarian

Ma Léonce (left) celebrated 100 years on April 27
Ma Léonce (left) celebrated 100 years on April 27

April 27th was a special day for the community of Paix-Bouche as villagers celebrated 100 years with beloved Meonette Gussie Bannis arguable the youngest looking centenarian on island.

A number of people from the community itself and surrounding communities joined in the celebration which began with a mass at the Paix-Bouche Roman Catholic Church.

H. E President Charles Savarin and his wife, the Hon Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas and the Hon Member of Parliament for Paix-Bouche, Roselyn Paul, who also acted as Minister for Social Services, all joined in the celebration.

The highlight of the mass was the second reading delivered by the lady of the moment herself.

Meonette Gussie Bannis affectionately known as Ma Léonce was born in the village of Dublanc on April 27th 1916. She had 10 siblings and herself bore two children. She married and moved to Paix-Bouche in 1968.

Ma Léonce is known as a community person lending support to at all community events. At the age of 100 she is still an avid walker and often visits the sick and shut in. Interestingly, she has never been hospitalized until the age of 99 to nurse a broken hand.

MP for Paix-Bouche and acting Minister for Social Services, Roselyn Paul, addressed the birthday reception following the mass.

“We are here as friends, family, well-wishers and villagers to stand in appreciation and commemoration of this great 100th anniversary of a woman who still stands quite strong and tall… The Government of Dominica does not leave our centenarians on their own. We continue to provide tremendous support to centenarians and other senior people in Dominica through institutions such as the Dominica Council on Ageing and the Social Welfare Department within the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs. Today you will be joining the other centenarians who receive every month $500 and a cooking gas.”

Now that Government is doing its part, H.E Charles Savarin encouraged villagers to lend their support to the queen of the community.

H.E the President presented Ma Léonce with a congratulatory letter on her milestone and a gift from the Office of the President.

Several other presentations were made from the Ministry of Social Services, the Paix-Bouche/Dos Dane village council, the Dominica Council on Ageing and the Paix-Bouche Young Action Club among others.

Ma Léonce is the second centenarian celebrated in the Paix-Bouche Constituency this year and brings the number of centenarians living on the island to 22.

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10 Comments

  1. May 4, 2016

    Come on paix bouche,why are you so silence about such a good topic,if it was to say something bad about each other you would have so much to say but when is good you guys have nothing to say? Wow. I was really expecting to read more positive comments on people from the community. I will be reading your negative comments on wastsapp passing from phone to phone.

  2. jeffrey
    May 4, 2016

    Congrats again aunty i hope to live a long and wonderful life as u and granny, i pray that u live to see many more in good health and spirit .
    Love always.

  3. Best of Both Worlds
    May 4, 2016

    Your article gave more facts.
    The Sparkle article gave more feeling.

  4. Face the Facts
    May 3, 2016

    Congratulations Ma Leonce on your 100th birthday. This is indeed a milestone. Amazingly you can read without eye glasses. You are also healthy. Wow! You must have been doing something good. You must share the secret of your longevity and being in good health.
    I wish you continued health and strength as long as the Good Lord sees fit. Enjoy your days as you always do. God bless you!

  5. May 3, 2016

    Congratulations and many many more b/d

  6. May 3, 2016

    Happy birthday! ! Wishing you many more.

  7. Congratulations Ma Leonce :!:

    I am happy for you and wish you well.

    Several things have come to my attention. You have made a place for God in your long life. They tell us that people who practice their faith have a tendency to enjoy good health and often live longer. You are a community person and have not lost interest in life. This adds not only to the quality of life, but also to its quantity!

    This world is not all there is. If you believe in the Lord Jesus, and have received him as your personal Savior, you will go into His Presence when your time comes.

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

    “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  8. God is love
    May 3, 2016

    Congratulations to her. I think a study should be done on that family because interestingly she had a sister who recently passed at one month shy of her 103rd birthday, there’s also another who is 91.

    • There is something to learn from this.

      Is it genetics? Or are there other factor?

      It is time to put the science to work.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

    • I agree there is something to learn from this.

      Is it genetics? Or are there other factors?

      It is time to put the science to work.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

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