RESIDENTS of Hopewell, St Mary, have hailed centenarian Ivy Peters Arnold as a kind-hearted and jovial woman who had retained a rich knowledge of her community’s history.

Peters, who died recently at the age of 106, was laid to rest after a thanksgiving service for her life at Marlborough Gospel Hall on Saturday, June 24.

The woman, known to many as Miss Ivy, had no children, and lost her husband in 2011. Her three siblings predeceased her. Her funeral, therefore, was attended by close friends and residents who loved her and helped to take care of her in the latter stages of her life.

One of those close friends was Elsa Robinson, who told the Jamaica Observer about Miss Ivy’s generosity and jovial spirit.

“Sometimes children coming from school would joke with her and she would joke with them and poke fun at them. That’s exactly who she is, she was a very friendly person in the community and she will surely be missed,” said Robinson.

Many residents described her as a great historian who had incredible knowledge of past events in the community. They said she would always tell them about their ancestors and, despite her age, her memory was sharp.

Another close friend, Millicent Russell, referred to Miss Ivy’s helpful nature and reasoned that her ability to avoid stress played an integral role in her longevity.

“No matter what she was going through, she didn’t make it a problem; she always had a contented mind. Stress is something that can really pull you down but she was happy in whatever stage she found herself. She nuh worry ’bout anything, she nuh complain, and that is why I believe Ivy live fi so long,” Russell said.

“She always believed that, in spite of everything, God would help her, God would make some way for her, and somebody would be there to give her a helping hand. And so be it, God was with her fi true and allow her to live fi so long,” she added.

One resident, Shelly-Ann Barnes, acknowledged Miss Ivy’s love for God, noting that the centenarian’s faith was strong and she was never ashamed to praise God out loud.

“Even when her condition nuh suit we, it suited her and she still a seh ‘Praise God’. She didn’t complain, and I took that from her especially,” Barnes said.

She also noted that Miss Ivy was helpful even when she was not physically able to assist others, and provided encouragement as well as wisdom to people.

Before her passing Miss Ivy did an interview in March with the Sunday Observer reminiscing on the friendly nature of the community and the unity among everyone.

“This district was a friendly district when I was growing up. We never had any enemies, nobody hated us, and we all just live together,” she had said.

It is believed that up to the time of her death Miss Ivy was St Mary’s oldest living resident on record.