An air of celebration pervaded the community of Redman’s Village, St. Thomas, on October 24, 2024, as one of its matriarchs, Ermine Viola Pitt, celebrated her 100th birthday.
She was surrounded by family members, close friends, and members of the St. Thomas Parish Church, as well as the relatives of one of her former employers.
President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, was one of Mrs. Pitt’s specially invited guests.
“I thank God for my life, a privilege above many,” the centenarian remarked to Her Excellency, adding that one of the lessons she learnt from a very early age was the need to put “God first…grasp what you can get…and press forward”, leaving the negative experiences behind.
One of the centenarian’s daughters and caregivers, Cidgrid Pitt, paid her a tribute, noting that she was “a very hardworking person”, who instilled a strong sense of morals within the family. The daughter said the centenarian “was very active in Church, sang in the St. Thomas Choir, and was also President of the Mothers’ Union, which she “loved very much”.
In sharing a tribute, Sally Millar, whom Mrs. Pitt assisted in raising while working for the Gill family, said the centenarian was “very straightforward”, and added: “She wasn’t unpleasant, but she just told you how it was, and we toed the line…and there was never any shouting…she was gentle.”
Mrs. Millar further noted that it was Mrs. Pitt who taught her, as a child, how to prepare and cook meals, especially those using local meats and produce. She said some of those recipes and techniques are in her two cookbooks.
One of the centenarian’s grandchildren and caregiver, Raymond Pitt, who is currently training to be a nurse, echoed many of the sentiments shared. He stated that his grandmother was a “very strict” and “straightforward” person.
He added that he had to go to church every Sunday, and that she always looked out for him because she wanted him to get as far as he could. Noting that now he is in nursing, she encourages him and prays for him every day, he said, “She is my second mother.”
Mrs. Pitt, who attended Welches Mixed School (now Welches Primary) and reached 7th Standard, remarked that “the children that stirring now should make much of their education”. She added that even though she was “bright” at school she didn’t have anyone to help her financially to reach the next level of schooling.
After leaving school, Mrs. Pitt learnt to do needlework, with one of her crowning designs being her mother’s confirmation dress, for which she received praise. She said after realising individuals were bringing material but not paying for the work, she turned to agriculture, for which she did not initially have the skills.
“I didn’t even know how to hold a hoe but out there by Cost-U-Less, that ground out there, I went out there with my aunt…and I had to fight my way and worked hard…hard,” she said. During her career in agriculture, Mrs. Pitt worked for the Bagatelle and Welches plantations.
The centenarian, who grew up in the general vicinity of Redman’s Village, moved to her present location after marrying Ralph Pitt (deceased). Mrs. Pitt said she gave up agriculture and, for a short while, sold fruit and vegetables.
After receiving an invitation from a member of the Gill family to cook, be a nanny and perform the duties of a domestic worker at their home, she accepted the offer and worked there for approximately 40 years until retirement.
Mrs. Pitt, who still likes to demonstrate her independence, enjoys reading the Bible, doing crossword puzzles and appreciates any meal prepared for her, though cou cou remains one of her favourite dishes.
Dame Sandra presented Mrs. Pitt with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a personalised card, which she read aloud without the use of her glasses.
In thanking Her Excellency for the visit, Mrs. Pitt remarked: “I [am] thankful for the time that you come, so glad to be here, in Jesus name…. Thank you, President of Barbados. God bless and may He help you, guide you, and keep you safe…the remainder of your years.”
In her closing remarks, Dame Sandra stated: “Apart from the fact that reaching a milestone of 100 is, as I like to say, a significant part of anyone’s life, the journey to get to 100 is always something that is remarkable. I want to say thank you for allowing me to come to visit you…. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Mrs. Pitt had five children (one deceased), eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
