TO residents of Mount Providence in Clarendon, Agatha Biggs McLeod is a local treasure.

It was not surprising, therefore, that on September 15 when she celebrated her 100th birthday the reserved Seventh-day Adventist Church member got rock star treatment from relatives and friends.

Known as Gong Gong and Aunt Mama, McLeod was belle of the ball at her centenary party, held September 17 at Mount Providence Primary School. More than 200 guests were there, including her seven surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

McLeod’s first grandchild, Christeen Francis, flew in from New York for the event which had a gold and black theme. She told the Jamaica Observer that her grandmother’s faculties are sharp and that she was fully aware of the festivities.

“In the room with her were four generations [of her lineage], so that was a great joy,” said Francis.

The September 17 party followed an intimate gathering on her birthday. The next day, McLeod was lauded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Clarendon for years of dedicated community service.

On September 17 video tributes came from popular stars such as singer Pam Hall, comedy king Oliver Samuels, and actress Deon Silvera.

McLeod is the only survivor of four siblings, of which she was second eldest. Sydney, Francis’s father and her first child, died in 2001.

For much of her life McLeod worked as a domestic helper and “seasonal tobacco farmer” in Vere, a town in the heart of Clarendon sugar country.

According to Francis, the three-day celebration marking her 100th birthday is testament to a life well-lived.

Life at times (raising her family) was stressful because she raised her children on a meagre salary, but she was able to educate them all and instil proper values. Despite the trials that she has faced she has had a good life overall and is looking forward to many more years to come, she said.