Rupertine Gardier: 105 not out

Gardier is now 105 years old
Gardier is now 105 years old

In a world where the average person lives for probably half a century, Rupertine Gardier, can boast of living a full century and more.

Recently she celebrated her 105th birthday.

The Colihaut resident who presently lives in St Croix in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) attributed her longevity to proper dieting and faith in God.

She said reaching 105 years is a tremendous blessing.

As part of her birthday celebration a Priest and nuns visited her home in St Croix where they prayed with her.

Gardier, a devoted Catholic, was described as someone who enjoys attending church, avoids problems with others and does not mind other people’s business.

She was also described as someone with a good sense of humor and enjoy giving jokes and who receives communion every week.

The centenarian said she will continue to hold on strong until God is ready for her.

Gardier was born on March 23rd 1910 and according to her great granddaughter, Presanda Christian, at the age of 14, she was sent to live with her aunt in Roseau.

“She later became a domestic worker and gave birth to four children, two girls and two boys,” Christian told DNO.

In 1952, at the age of 40, Garnier went to live in St Kitts where she was employed as a domestic worker.

“In 1975 she left St Kitts and then went to New York where she stayed for nine months,” Christian said.

She further revealed that following her great grandmother’s stay in New York, she moved to St John in the USVI where she stayed with her daughter for five years.

“She came back to New York in 1981 where she spent ten years and then moved to St Croix with her daughter Cynthia Christian who is the one who takes care of her at present,” Christian said.

Gardier receives flowers on her birthday
Gardier receives flowers on her birthday

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29 Comments

  1. Alejandro Gardié
    October 16, 2018

    Hi The Facts and Charles Gardie If you ever come vack and read these messages, I would pretty much like to connect with you two and share some family history, as I’m trying to track the name as far back as possible. Any thoughts? Mine got changed to Gardié after my great grandfather migrated to Venezuela, coming from Trinidad.
    He was son of George Gardier, who should be related to one of your great grandparents from Dominica.
    You can reach me by email at alejandrogardie (gmail.com)

  2. somebody
    April 5, 2015

    Morris George is 107

  3. Abitrator
    April 2, 2015

    Congratulation maam

  4. The Facts
    April 1, 2015

    I love to see her smiling face in the picture.
    Now, some may know who I am. :lol: One of my grandmother’s maiden name (prior to her marriage) was Gardier and the Gardier family and other families lived in Colihaut. My grandmother was obviously from there. After her marriage she lived elsewhere in Dominica with her husband and her family.
    I always loved that name, “Gardier.” I always felt there was a certain ring to it. Now I know why.
    Some of my older relatives lived to be a ripe old age; some over 100 years old.
    If the good Lord wills, someday it would be a pleasure to meet this lady who is my cousin; maybe aunt, who knows?
    For now, I am informing all members of my family near and far and also friends about her. I will also say to them, check out DNO’s Website. :lol:
    God bless you again, dear lady, over and over again.

  5. out of south city
    April 1, 2015

    This is just great news that there are so many centenarians in Dominica. They are mostly matriarchs, I believe.
    As I mentioned in a previous post, the black woman is the strongest human being in history. We must continue to honour our great-grandmothers, grand-mothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends.
    May matriarch Gardier continue to live as long as she has the breath of life in her body. I applaud her daughter, Cynthia, for doing an excellent job in caring for her mother. May you live a long life as well.

    PEACE

    • April 4, 2015

      Not enough could be said in praise of children who care for their parents especially in their parent’s old age. Families like this are a blessing in their communities and make the world a better place.

      The Bible tells us ”Honor thy father and mother; …That it may be well with thee, …” (Ephesians 6:2,3) Notice how this commandment has a promise attached to it. When our children see us showing love to our parents, and caring for them they learn from that. Hopefully they will follow our example! The time will very likely come when we will need the same from our children.

      More important, it is what God has mandated. It is part of the Christian lifestyle. He has promised to bless those who honor their parents.

      God bless you Cynthia for caring for your mother during her most dependent years.

      God is taking note. You will have your reward!

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  6. Natasha
    April 1, 2015

    May the Lord continue to bless you, Aunty Tin. Aunty Cynthia, to be able to
    take care of your Mother, is truly a blessing. May the blessing of health, strength, peace and love
    be with you all always.

  7. Commendable
    April 1, 2015

    Every year a centenarian’s birthday should be celebrated in pomp and splendor. Rarely do people live to be past 50. So when we come across centenarians then we should always celebrate their birthdays in grand style. The government and the community should come together to give them a big birthday bash if the family is financially unable.

    Ms. Gardier you are truly blessed. You look strong and love that huge smile of yours. You are in the realm of royalty. I salute you queen Rupertine Gardier.

    • The Facts
      April 1, 2015

      A smile goes a long way. It tells much about her and her pleasant personality.

  8. April 1, 2015

    Congratulations and best wishes Rupertine Gardier on your 105 birthday :!:

    It is obvious you have enhance your life by living peacefully, and making room for a little humor. Most important you acknowledge God who is the very source of abundant life.

    By trusting in the lord Jesus Christ and believing that His death on the cross has put all your sins away you can have a sure entry into His presence when your earth life is finished.

    ”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. International Evangelist.

  9. Black empress
    April 1, 2015

    Wow!!!!!!!!!!! She looks good for her age. May God bless you and your children. Great job Cynthia in looking after your mom

  10. king
    April 1, 2015

    KEEP GOING GRANNY, JAH HAS BLESSED U!

  11. The Facts
    April 1, 2015

    Congratulations on your 105th birthday. Imagine, you are still alert with all your faculties. This is a great blessing from God.
    Your strong Catholic faith, receiving Holy Communion daily, the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ has aided you so far.
    On the night before He was betrayed, He took bread and wine, raised them up to His (Our) Heavenly Father, blest them, gave to His disciples and said: “Do this in commemoration of Me.” It is in the Bible – The New Testament!
    Praise be to God. With God’s help, may you continue to live as long and healthily as you possibly could.
    This is a lady after my heart. I love what she stated about staying out of problems and minds her own business. This is how I live. Many could learn a lesson from her and emulate her.
    Jokingly, I informed some people I would like to live some hundreds of years (very far from that) healthily but this is wishful thinking. :lol: Well, with God nothing is impossible. :)

    • The Facts
      April 1, 2015

      I have relatives who are Gardiers. Happy to read about a “Gardier”. In the past few years I have not come across any. I thought they had all passed away, except they probably had siblings, children, grandchildren and other younger relatives who are still alive and probably reside in Dominica and other parts of the world.
      The Gardier ancestors are originally from France. So were my ancestors, on one side of my parents, who are of a different family name. To give you an idea, you know, in the days of slavery these ancestors were slave owners in Dominica.
      When I attended the Convent High school there was only one I knew, Rosemarie Gardier who was in the same form as I. She migrated to the UK. I have not heard about her since she left D/ca. I usually inquire about her.
      Our relatives are many with different French family names. If the good Lord wills, some day I hope to meet up with a few of the family, Gardiers, whom I have not seen.

      • The Facts
        April 1, 2015

        By the way, I forgot to mention, there is longevity in these (my) families on all sides. It is not surprising to me that she is over one hundred years. God bless her!
        Thank you DNO for posting this wonderful and interesting news. Happy to know she is a member of my family.
        Obviously, she may know my grandparents and parents and probably other members of my family as I.
        Godly, healthy living could contribute to a long life. Let us all try to live well – healthily, happily and be loving and generous to others in words and actions.
        As God takes note, we may very well live long and healthily as this lady. It is obvious her loving family is taking good care of her. This also helps to live a long, healthy and happy life.

      • Charles Gardier
        August 23, 2017

        Just to let you know the gardier family are still around, i fact she is my great grand aunt
        She was the sister of rupert Gardier also lived to 99 years.

        There are a few Gardier in Portsmouth but my family are the only ones carrying the title i know.

        I grow hearing stories from my father of his aunt but never meet her.

        Felt good to see her photos

    • Alejandro Gardié
      October 16, 2018

      Hi The Facts and Charles Gardie If you ever come vack and read these messages, I would pretty much like to connect with you two and share some family history, as I’m trying to track the name as far back as possible. Any thoughts? Mine got changed to Gardié after my great grandfather migrated to Venezuela, coming from Trinidad.
      He was son of George Gardier, who should be related to one of your great grandparents from Dominica.
      You can reach me by email at alejandrogardie (gmail.com)

  12. J4R
    April 1, 2015

    Most/all of the Dominican centenarian seem to be devout catholic. Just an observation

    • smh
      April 1, 2015

      The oldest people on earth are from japan and guess what they are atheist. Religion had nothing to do with longevity its the way of life.

      • out of south city
        April 1, 2015

        That’s exactly right but we were raised as religious people who are kept in fear of going to hell. We have been gullible and have not used our minds to question where religions originated. We tend to be narrow-minded when it comes to reading other literature apart from religious ones. Most of us were raised as catholics and believe that if we do not belong to a church we will go to hell. This has been used to keep us in fear and from knowing who we are. We never questioned what we believe and why we believe what we believe. Religions are just controlled systems that have been put in place to continue our demise as a people. Religion is reformed slavery and we have bought it hook, line and sinker.
        I am thankful to the great historians from whom I have learned my African history and still continue to learn. When one knows his/her history no one can tell what they think. You know who you are and you also know the lies that have been presented in the most circulated book, the bible.

      • The Facts
        April 1, 2015

        This is your opinion. You are free to feel this way. Not all of them in Japan have longevity as in any other country.
        Whether religious or not, God knows why some live long and others not. I would not argue about that.
        If people live long enough and also healthily, they have much to be thankful for. This is what this lady has projected. She attributed her long life to God and the manner in which she has been living. I am certain if she were to write a book about her life it would be an interesting one.

      • April 4, 2015

        Japan’s atheism and its demonic worship of false gods was responsible for its barbaric roll in the second world war and the reason it took two atomic bombs to make them surrender.

        The long life enjoyed by many Japanese people can be credited to a number of things including strong genetics, diet, healthy habits, exercise, and a good work ethic. Many non-believers have accidently stumbled into some of these these principles and benefited from them. Certainly it has nothing to do with them not believing in God.

        On the other hand scientific studies have shown that belief in God and the sincere practice of
        Biblical Christianity enhances health and adds years to one’s life even in the absence of some of these common sense practices. St. Paul wrote ”…godliness is profitable unto all things, HAVING PROMISE OF THE LIFE THAT NOW IS, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

    • Anonymous
      April 2, 2015

      Thought the same as I read the article

    • April 4, 2015

      The highest percentage of people in Dominica are Catholics so naturally the highest percentage of centenarians will be Catholics.

      However, it should not be overlooked that the Catholic Church gives them a strong belief in God which if taken seriously will motivate them towards right living which can add years to one’s life.

      Receiving Christ as your personal Savior can free you from the guilt of the past and the fear of tomorrow. Living and practicing the Biblical faith can add years of ”abundant life” to what would otherwise be only an existence.

      The Lord Jesus said ”…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
      (John 10:10)

      It is written ”And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life. And he that hath NOT the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:11,12)

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  13. Dominican
    April 1, 2015

    Ma John of Massacre/Mahaut died two weeks ago at the age of 106. She would have been 107 this month.

    • The Facts
      April 1, 2015

      Thanks for mentioning it! When I read of this lady’s longevity, I thought of informing DNO. I was surprised that DNO was not aware of Ma John – Mrs. Muriel Boyd. On April 4th she would have been 107 years.
      Strange, the week before I thought of her and checked my birthday book for the date of her birthday. A few days later I was informed that she passed on.
      I knew Ma John and her family. Her daughter is a great friend of mine. I telephoned her after I learned her mother passed on.
      Whenever I visit home I always visit them. I wished I were able to attend her funeral but I reside abroad. I told her daughter I will be present in spirit. I did not forget them especially at the time of her Funeral Mass and Burial.
      Ma John was a wonderful lady. I saw her a few years ago and chatted with her. I mostly listened to her conversation. I will always remember this dear, gracious and peaceful lady. She always greeted everyone with a smile. What a lovely, friendly lady!

      • The Facts
        April 1, 2015

        All those who knew her could also attest to her and more, her love and generosity, if they also knew her personally.
        I think her mother who lived at Mahaut also lived a long life, almost as long as her.
        God bless her soul. RIP.

  14. Neutral
    April 1, 2015

    God Blessings. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  15. Dominican
    April 1, 2015

    God bless you ma’am……and may the good lord continue to bless in this life.

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