Ivy Pauline Montague, affectionately known as Ms Tivy, has not lost her independence and jovial spirit even after celebrating her 104th birthday on January 15.

Despite some hearing loss, Ms Tivy was able to have a conversation Observer Online about growing up in Potsdam district, better known as Munro in St Elizabeth, and making a life there raising her five children.

Though unable to leave home to visit places she once did, Ms Tivy, who battles with diabetes and high blood pressure along with the aches and pains that comes with age, is quite adept at taking care of herself and her daily needs.

“Me have sugar and pressure, and sometimes me foot pain me and sometimes me chest worry me. And wah day me bounce me hand and I can’t really do the walking so I don’t go anywhere again, just from here to out the gate,” she told Observer Online.

But what she is able to do is still astonishing for the centenarian.

“Me wake up and me tidy up, do me little washing if me have anything to wash, cook me breakfast, drink me little coffee, —them want stop me from drink it but me haffi thief likkle. Me can’t even make them know,” she laughed sneakily, outlining her daily tasks.

“But me drink cocoa and milo. I don’t drink the green tea dem, can’t bother with them,” she continued.

This attitude towards independence and work is not new to Ms Tivy, who revealed that she worked several jobs before retiring from the Potsdam district post office.

“The amount of places I worked! It cannot be numbered. You see all the hilltop? That was a marl hole and me have to work with all me pickaxe dig marl. Last place I worked was at the post office and carried out telegrams from 8 am to 5 pm every day,” Ms Tivy said.

Ms Tivy was born in 1920 and is one of six children. However, she is now the eldest of her remaining siblings as the others have passed on.

Though she never married, she was able to provide for her children with the numerous jobs she held.

When asked what her secret is to such a long life, Ms Tivy told Observer Online that she does not have one but is very grateful she has lived to the age of 104.

“I don’t have any secret to long life. I wasn’t expecting it, but I am grateful for it. Although sometimes me sorta have to hop-hop and go along but I am so happy and I have to just do what I can to make sure I take the best of care,” Ms Tivy said.

Her granddaughter, Shawn Whittingham, described Ms Tivy as an individual who always keeps you laughing, but will not hold back if she is upset about a matter.

“[She is] fun, jovial, pleasant. As long as nothing don’t bother her, she will hold you in a very long conversation and carry you down memory lane. So, you must laugh but if there is anything that she doesn’t like she will express herself, indicating her disgust about it even if it is an issue that could be overlooked,” Whittingham said.

Ms Tivy concurred with her granddaughter’s statement, adding that while she does not make trouble with anybody, she has her moments when she can be miserable. However, she told Observer Online that this is a trait that all Capricorns possess.

“Me keep to myself and don’t make no fuss with anybody. I don’t quarrel with anybody and if you do me anything, as long as I move I don’t forget it, and me have me little miserable way. All the Capricorns have them little miserable way. Me nuh know about anybody else but me know Capricorns have it,” she said laughing.

Being 104 has slowed down Ms Tivy, and she is unable to remember all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as there are a lot, but her spunk and energy were still quite evident as she looks forward to another year around the sun.