Surrounded by her family in Kingsland Park, Christ Church, Audrey Husbands celebrated her 100th birthday on June 22, 2025, praising and thanking God for all she has achieved.
President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, was one of Mrs. Husband’s specially invited guests.
Stressing the need to “praise God for whatsoever”, Mrs. Husbands shared with Her Excellency that she places her reliance on God as “only God can solve the problems”.
Noting that she was raised by a grandmother, she said she took the lessons learnt from her grandmother to help raise her own children, all of whom have a good relationship with each other, as “they can see eye-to-eye with one another”.
The centenarian shared that it wasn’t until later in life that she knew her mother and eventually became her caregiver. Her mother died at 99, after injuries from a fall.
“I worked hard. I worked from [age] 14 to 2007… out there now called Coral Ridge (previously part of The Ridge Plantation). I worked that plantation from the time I start to work till I stop…nowhere else,” Mrs. Husbands remarked.
One of her daughters and caregivers, Marjorie Greenidge, said her mother was a “a loving mother”, who worked hard but still found time “to talk to us and tell us about life”, consistently enquiring about their welfare, passing knowledge onto them and teaching them skills such as cooking.
Ms. Greenidge commented: “She has always been talking to us, explaining things about her life and drawing on examples on how we should live and even…when we are old and adults and have kids of our own. She would keep reminding us that we ought to raise the children the right way.”
Raised in Lodge Road, Christ Church, Mrs. Husbands lived with her grandparents until their passing and then with her uncles. She relocated to Gall Hill, Christ Church, where she now resides.
After attending Water Street Girls’ School (now Christ Church Girls’ School), Mrs. Husbands, at age 14, worked as a labourer at The Ridge Plantation, Christ Church. In 2007, she retired as a supervisor at age 82.
Mrs. Husbands, who is Anglican, was baptised and confirmed at the Christ Church Parish Church. She was married to Leonard Husbands (now deceased), and they had seven children (two deceased). She has 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Late into her 90s, she continued with her love of the land, growing vegetables, ground provisions, and fruit trees on land owned by the family.
Overall, the centenarian is in good health and insists on preparing her own breakfast. She also performs a few chores to remain active. She looks after herself and welcomes the meals prepared by her children. Some of Mrs. Husbands’ favourite foods are fish, coucou, plantain, and sweet potatoes.
Upon receiving a bouquet of flowers from Her Excellency, the centenarian smiled and said: “Thank you…. I [will] put them on my table…and no one can move them…. My grandmother taught me…don’t take up what you didn’t put down.”
Dame Sandra remarked: “I love to engage people like yourself, and I want to thank you for reaching the age of 100, so I can come and visit with you…. I want you to continue to live as graciously as you have lived so far and continue to impart to your children, your grandchildren, and your great-great-grandchildren all the knowledge and love and peace that you give out, and remind them that you are here by the grace of God…. So, all the best to you.”
