Church lover Sybil Robinson grateful to reach 100

If you ask centenarian Sybil Robinson what is the key to her long life, the devoted Christian and avid churchgoer will tell you that, among the reasons, she is not fond of partying.

Enjoying the comfort of her living room in Stony Hill, St Andrew, Robinson, who turned 100 on September 27, noted that outside of her 100th birthday celebration, which was held at the St Jude's Church in Stony Hill (where she is a member), there was no other mention of frolicking.

"I enjoyed it, but to tell the truth, I really didn't dwell with parties. But this one, I enjoyed it very much I tell you, and I thank my family and friends who did this party because I certainly enjoyed it," Robinson said. She added that her plants, faith in God and family energise her and keep her going.

"We used to operate a grocery shop and that was what I lived by. When I get the time from the shop, I plant my flowers," said Robinson, adding that the purple and white orchids are her favourite. She has a close bond with her plants and according to her relatives, she even talks to them. The mother of four is known to give away some of her plants, including mint.

She is passionate about church and is credited for being a founding member of St Jude's Mother's Union department since 1960. She has received several awards for her sterling contributions.

"Nothing keeps me back from going to church. To me it is very important," she said. She recalled how the church moved from a room with one door, to hosting fundraisers and being able to add more doors, windows and members.

Though she is all about her church and worship, Robinson keeps an ear out for current affairs, despite how gloomy it can be.

"I don't like that news at all, the killing. Today's news is far different than the news before. The news now, each day you get up, all you hear about is shooting and killing. That I don't like," Robinson said. She reminisced on the 'good old days', including when goods were much cheaper.

"Each day you get up now, all you can hear is this gone up, that gone up. But first time, you weren't tired to hear that," Robinson said. She is always surrounded by family, who were counting down to her centenary celebrations.

One of her sons, Dennis, said it is remarkable how she is attached to her church.

"She was christened at the church, confirmed at the church, and she got married at the church; full circle," he said. He said that he is not overly concerned about her, but wishes she would take it easy at times.

"She is much weaker than she was before, and I'm concerned when she goes down the step. But she loves to tend to her garden, so I guess nothing we do or say is gonna stop her," said Dennis. Michelle Robinson, the senior citizen's niece who is there with her daily, said that she is only concerned that Robinson's voice isn't as strong as it once was, and she is unable to hear her at times.

"If she is outside and I am in the kitchen, I can't hear if anything happens to her ... if five, 10 minutes pass and I don't hear her, I go and look," she said. Jokingly, they said they would probably have to put a bell around her neck to keep up with her movements.

Robinson's granddaughter, Kemoy Addai, who was also visiting, called celebrating the 100th birthday milestone "amazing".

"We've been counting down and looking forward to it. My schedule was cleared for a long time for this day," Addai said.