HART HILL, Portland — Originally from St Mary, love took Hilda May Richards to Hart Hill in Portland. She built a life there with her common-la
w husband George Hendricks over the last 53 years, mothering countless children though she never gave birth herself. She turned 100 on June 22, and a day later family and friends from the community gathered to let her know just how much she means to them.

Richards was touched by the gesture and happy to be a centenarian.

“I feel alright to be 100 under the blessings of the almighty God,” said Richards whose memory is still as sharp as her wit.

She regaled admirers with the story of how she came to Portland on August 1, 1971 as she was living in Cox Piece, St Mary, but was trying to extricate herself from an abusive relationship when she met Mr Coley, as she refers to Hendricks.

“I was going to a district name Bartley Town and mi meet up on this man name Mr Coley and him promise say if mi behave him a go carry me go a Portland. That is why I am here. He was mi father, mi mother, he was everything to me. He died and left a beautiful nurse give me,” Richards recalled wistfully.

She was refereeing to Hendricks’ daughter Pamela who has been caring for her since he passed away in 2008.

“She is more than a mother to me, she’s more than a daughter, she cares for me well,” Richards added.

She also had high praise for other members of the community who welcomed her more than half a century ago and still look out for her today.

“I do not regret coming to Portland, not even in the least. I feel terrific and enjoy living in this community. Although I don’t have a child, I have many. I don’t know if anybody hates me but I know that I am beloved by many with God,” said Richards.

“I remember when I used to want to go to church the community people treated me so nice, never in want for anything,” she said gratefully.

Ever a source of wisdom, Richards offered words of advice to youngsters in the community.

“Live well, give it up all to Jesus; live close to God that he will live close to us. My heart’s desire for the young people in Hart Hill is to live and serve God,” she appealed.

Much of the birthday celebration was spent talking to her, though, as one after the other attendees told Richards how much she means to them. God-daughters Keneisha Taylor and Carlene Cowan, along with godson Gregory Baugh spoke about how much she had cared for them over the years.

“Indeed God has blessed this woman and we have to give thanks when we see persons living this long. She hardly has any ailments at all. Miss Hilda is stronger than most of the young people going around the place,” said Taylor.

“She has no children but you better not tell her that, don’t you dare, because she has been the mother of so many other children,” she added.

Richards’ caregiver Pamela Hendricks also gave a touching speech.

“I love you so much and I am happy to be her caregiver. I am privileged to be her stepdaughter and it’s a joy and pleasure to care for her. She loves to eat, especially fry fritters and chocolate tea,” Hendricks said with a smile.

Richards’ nephew George “OC” Walker, who travelled from Cox Piece, St Mary, to join the celebration, said longevity runs in the family and he is grateful it has extended to her.

“She just reached her milestone and I give God thanks and praise. I thank God she is still alive and I come to see her and that she will have good health and energy to see and enjoy many more. I thank God for her,” he said.

For Bevin Campbell, the party was an opportunity to remind Richards that she had gifted him a pair of “brown water boots with the stripes that matched the brown stripe pants that you carry from England.

“You are my favourite aunt and I’m going to ensure that you go to the theatre at this age,” Campbell promised.

Meanwhile, a grateful Richard Hinds extolled the kindness Richards had showed to his family as he wished her happy birthday.

“Congratulations that you have reached this milestone. It is an occasion that everyone would like to be a part of because people are not living long anymore and with the grace of the Almighty and the willpower of Hilda, you have lived to see 100 years,” he said.

“You are like a second mother to us. You were like a sister to my mother and you took care of all of us, Miss Lucille’s children. We will continue to support you and we pray for the Father’s blessings to continue to keep you,” added Hinds.

Adding a musical touch to the proceedings, Pastor Winsome Thomas and Edna Murray from Mount Faith Apostolic Church of God sang two songs. Richards joined in during the rendition of her favourite, Come and stay with the pilot to master the sea.

Her god-daughter Carlene Cowan’s heartfelt words brought the day’s speeches to a close. She described Richards as her second mother, someone who was always there for her, the endless supplier of “cow’s milk and common fowl eggs”.

Cowan remembered other treasured gifts.

“She made a tam that she knitted and I never go to bed without that tam on my head. She bought me a nightie and it was a treasure because we used to sleep in old clothes. As a child, I have always been getting things from her and I remember a set of knife and fork. She gave me the knife first, then the fork, then the spoon on three different occasions as I visited.

“She did not have a child of her own but she mothered most of us in this community and for her to be 100 years old and the love that is being shown as we celebrate her today,” added Cowan.

Then as everyone belted out the Happy Birthday song, Richards and her three godchildren cut her birthday cake.